When our government is formed in Delhi, the first signature will be on the caste census, says Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi. Pic/PTI

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that when their government is formed in Delhi, the first signature will be on the caste census, reported news agency ANI.

He said, "This (caste census) will be the most revolutionary decision after independence."

While addressing a public rally in poll-bound Chhattisgarh's Bemetara district, Rahul Gandhi said, "When it comes to giving rights to OBCs, they say there are no OBCs. There is only one caste in India, the poor. There are OBCs, and we will find out how many there are. Whether it's 10, 20, or 60 per cent, you will get as much participation as there is population. If debts are forgiven, it will be of farmers, not billionaires. Whether Narendra Modi does it or not, if our government is formed in Chhattisgarh, a caste survey will be done here. When our government is formed in Delhi, the first signature will be on the caste census," reported ANI.

"The day the OBCs, Dalits, and tribals of this country find out their true population and their true power, this country will change forever. After independence, (conducting caste census) this will be the most revolutionary decision," Rahul Gandhi said, reported ANI.

"Rs 15,000 will be credited to accounts of all women of the state every year by the state government," Rahul Gandhi said.

"Chhattisgarh government has taken a historic decision: free education will be provided to students from KG to PG," he said.

The second phase of the Chhattisgarh assembly elections is scheduled on Friday. The first phase of elections in the state concluded on November 7. Rajasthan will go to the polls on November 25.

The Congress is in power in both states. In Chhattisgarh, the Congress came to power in the state, winning 68 of the 90 seats. The BJP bagged 15, reported ANI.

In Rajasthan, the Congress won 99 out of 200 seats and formed the government with support from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Independents. The BJP secured 73 seats.

Meanwhile, reiterating his party's demand for a caste census, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the day the Other Backward Classes, Dalits and tribals learn about their actual population, the "country will change forever," reported PTI.

Speaking at a rally in Chhattisgarh's Bemetara district ahead of the second phase of assembly elections on November 17, he accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not taking a clear stand on the issue.

"Modi ji flies in an aircraft worth Rs 12,000 crore and wears new clothes every day. He was elected using the word OBC (on the promise of acting in their interest), and when the time comes to give rights to the OBCs, he says there is no OBC and the poor are the only caste in India. We will find out how many OBCs are there," Rahul Gandhi added, reported PTI.

(With inputs from ANI and PTI)