BJD reiterates demand for caste-based census, attacks BJP for its ‘silence’

The Biju Janata Dal plans to hit the streets to garner people’s support on the issue.

Reiterating its demand for conducting caste-based census and removal of 50% ceiling on reservation, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Tuesday said the party would hit the streets to garner people’s support on the issue. The regional party also criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for remaining silent on the issue at a time when its alliance partners in the National Democratic Alliance were demanding caste-based census. “In the absence of reliable and authentic data about the exact numbers of Socially and Educationally Backward Class or Other Backward Class population, focused programme for welfare of the backward caste cannot be formulated. The federal system and legal concerns have come in the way of the State government to address the issue,” said Ranendra Pratap Swain, senior BJD leader and Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Minister.