Cong mum on caste-based census

The Congress has reserved its reaction on the issue of caste-based census that had divided the cabinet, shown up fissures in the Group of Ministers and now threatens the party’s efforts to woo the upper castes in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar where it is striving to re-create its base.

The Congress has reserved its reaction on the issue of caste-based census that had divided the cabinet, shown up fissures in the Group of Ministers and now threatens the party’s efforts to woo the upper castes in states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar where it is striving to re-create its base.

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A day after the GoM decided to write to political parties to spell out within four weeks whether they support a caste-based census, the Congress refused to openly commit itself to it.

“When the GoM approaches us for our opinion, we will articulate it,’’ said spokesperson Manish Tewari.

There is no indication yet that a Congress Working Committee will discuss the contentious issue that ministers like Kapil Sibal see as going against the party’s grain. State leaders from UP, for instance, have reported that the upper castes that the party was trying to woo are upset over the prospect of such enumeration.

But an AICC leader maintained: “We’ll go with the UPA on the issue’’ His statement was an indication the Congress did not want to step in until other parties, including it’s allies spell out their stand.