Jharkhand CM Soren invites BJP to join delegation to PM over caste census

The issue of caste census has united opposition parties in several Hindi heartland states such as Bihar, UP and Jharkhand.Soren said he was planning to lead an all party delegation to the PM over the matter

Published on: Sep 8, 2021, 13:48:21 IST

By Vishal Kant

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren said in assembly on Wednesday that he has requested a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the contentious issue of caste census. Soren added that the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was also invited to join the delegation to meet the PM.

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren said he was also in favour of passing a resolution in state assembly for increasing OBC reservation quota. (PTI)

“I have written to the Prime Minister seeking his time. I want to lead a delegation of all parties to present our views on caste census. I want members from both treasury and opposition benches to join us,” said Soren.

Reacting to the CM’s statement, senior BJP legislator and former minister Neelkanth Singh Munda said while his party was ready to cooperate on the issue of caste census, the CM should also take up the issue of “dwindling population of tribals in the state”.

Sudesh Mahto, former deputy CM and president of AJSU Party, an ally of the BJP, asked the CM to also inform the House about his electoral promise to expand the reservation for the Other Backward Castes (OBCs) in the state to 27% from existing 14 %. AJSU Party, too, has taken a clear stand in favour of caste census.

“It’s good that you have sought time on caste census, let us know what happened to the 27% OBC reservation. That should not be an issue now as the Centre has already delegated the power to list OBCs to the states,” Mahto said.

Replying to this, CM said the government was working on it and he was in favour of passing a unanimous resolution on OBC reservation as a message to the Centre.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vishal Kant
Stationed in Ranchi, Vishal is heading the Jharkhand Bureau of Hindustan Times since November 2017. Besides leading the reporting team, Vishal tracks and writes on developments related to the state politics, economy and policy matters in Jharkhand. Prior to his current assignment, Vishal used to work in New Delhi after graduating from the University of Delhi. Vishal joined HT in the rank of Assistant Editor in August 2015 and was part of the Delhi Metro Bureau, covering a host of issues in the City-state including politics, policy---especially those related to urban traffic & transport infrastructure and railways. A native of Palamu district in Jharkhand, Vishal started his two-decade long career in the mainstream media in 2006. During this period, he has has worked in different capacity with a number of national media houses including the Financial Chronicle, India Today, Deccan Herald and The Hindu, before moving to the Hindustan Times. He holds the experience of having worked in three major mediums of mass communication--Print, Electronic and Digital. He is a proud father of two daughters.Read More

Home/Cities/Ranchi News/Jharkhand CM Soren Invites BJP To Join Delegation To PM Over Caste Census