BJP reacted sharply to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's comments on caste census accusing him of trying to divide the society for political gains. In a social media post on Monday, BJP Leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, from independence till 2014, Congress always opposed the caste census. He asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to clarify why Congress did not conduct caste census when it was in power for decades. Mr Pradhan said, only the Central Government has the constitutional right to conduct caste census. He accused Mr Gandhi of misleading people on the caste census. Mr Pradhan asked whether it was not true that Congress leader and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had opposed 27 percent reservation for backward people in central government jobs under the Mandal Commission.
 
Earlier today, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had said that the Congress working committee has taken a decision unanimously to support the idea of a nationwide caste census. Addressing a press conference, Mr Gandhi had expressed confidence that a vast majority of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance parties will support and push for a caste census. He said, the decision of the CWC to support a caste census is a very progressive and powerful step for the emancipation of poor people.