Mumbai, Nov 18: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday vowed to remove the 50% cap on reservations and carry out a caste-based census across India.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Gandhi called the caste census “the biggest issue before us” and emphasized that it would be a central focus for the party.
“We will ensure it gets done. It is our core commitment,” he stated.
Gandhi also framed the upcoming Maharashtra assembly elections, set for November 20, as a battle of ideologies—one that pits the interests of a few billionaires against those of the common people. He highlighted the impact of large-scale projects, such as Foxconn and Airbus, which were moved from Maharashtra to Gujarat. According to Gandhi, this shift resulted in significant job losses for the youth of Maharashtra.
“The Maha Vikas Aghadi government is committed to safeguarding the interests of Maharashtra’s people,” Gandhi asserted, adding that the state government would work tirelessly to protect local employment and economic interests.
Turning to the issue of corruption, Gandhi accused the state and central governments of manipulating political systems to benefit a select few. He cited the controversial Dharavi redevelopment project in Mumbai, alleging that the political machinery had been skewed to favor a single individual.
Mocking Prime Minister Modi’s slogan, "Ek hai toh safe hai" (If you’re together, you’re safe), Gandhi brought a safe to the press conference. Inside it, he revealed a poster showing Prime Minister Modi alongside industrialist Gautam Adani, saying, "They are safe as long as they stand together." The comment was a pointed critique of the alleged ties between the two figures and their influence on national politics.
Gandhi’s remarks underscored his party’s commitment to addressing economic disparity and social justice, setting the stage for a heated electoral contest in Maharashtra.
