Caste census report is ‘unscientific’, says BJP Karnataka chief B. Y. Vijayendra

He accused Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah of bringing the caste census report to the fore and using it as a ‘dice’ whenever his position becomes ‘shaky’.

BJP’s State president B. Y. Vijayendra termed the Karnataka Socio Economic and Educational Survey, popularly called caste census, as an ‘unscientific’ document that cannot be implemented.

Responding to queries from reporters in Mysuru on January 17, Mr Vijayendra claimed that Veerashaivas-Lingayats and Vokkaligas are opposed to implementation of the caste census. “Though the BJP is not opposed to ensuring justice to all castes, the report should be fair and not lead to injustice. Based on information from ‘leaks’ of the caste census report, it appears to be a political conspiracy.”

He recalled that the caste census report was submitted in 2016 when Siddaramaiah was the Chief Minister of the then Congress government in Karnataka. He said the ‘hurriedly prepared report’ was submitted when Mr Siddaramaiah was at the helm of affairs in the State, but he had chosen to put off its implementation, citing elections.

Accusing Mr Siddaramaiah of pitting one caste against another, Mr Vijayendra accused the Congress leader of bringing the caste census report to the fore and using it as a ‘dice’ whenever his position becomes ‘shaky’.

Claiming that Mr Siddaramaiah will not be able to complete his full term, the BJP leader said Mr Siddaramaiah will have to resign as Chief Minister soon. As Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is also eying the post, Mr Siddaramaiah is playing politics by having other Ministers issue statements. “About 10 Ministers are aspirants for the Chief Minister’s post,” he claimed.