Siddaramaiah Urges Rahul Gandhi to Push for Early Implementation of Karnataka Caste Survey

BENGALURU, SEPT 12 : Senior Congress leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged party leader Rahul Gandhi to intervene and ensure the early implementation of the Karnataka caste survey report, making the issue a key point of his meeting with Gandhi in New Delhi.

Siddaramaiah is understood to have told Rahul Gandhi that the caste survey was conducted following the directions of the Congress leadership and that the report has now been received by the state government. He reportedly sought the party leadership's intervention to facilitate its implementation, stressing that the move was essential to advancing social justice and the interests of backward classes.

The meeting assumes significance as the caste survey and its implementation remain politically sensitive issues in Karnataka, with Siddaramaiah continuing to strongly advocate the cause of backward classes and the AHINDA (minorities, backward classes and Dalits) social justice agenda.

During the meeting, Siddaramaiah is also understood to have raised concerns over the functioning of the state government, including the delay in filling two vacant ministerial berths. He reportedly conveyed that the Cabinet expansion had not taken place as discussed at the time of government formation.

Siddaramaiah is also understood to have drawn Rahul Gandhi's attention to what he perceived as his marginalisation in the state government. The two leaders reportedly discussed the AHINDA issue and the prevailing political situation in Karnataka, including the Congress party's strategy for the Assembly and Parliament elections.

Another issue that reportedly figured in the meeting was Siddaramaiah's recent remarks on electoral retirement. Rahul Gandhi is understood to have expressed reservations over such statements and cautioned that they could have an adverse impact on the party. He reportedly advised Siddaramaiah to refrain from making further comments on electoral retirement.

The meeting comes amid continuing discussions within the Karnataka Congress over the political direction of the party and the functioning of the state government. The discussions could gain further significance ahead of Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's next visit to New Delhi, when the Congress leadership may communicate its views on the issues raised by Siddaramaiah.