Rahul Gandhi in 2024 Lok Sabha election: Promising to Remove 50% Cap on Reservations and Provide as Needed

Mr. Gandhi addressed a poll rally at Ratlam in Madhya Pradesh and emphasized that the current election is about safeguarding the Constitution. He stated that the BJP and RSS aim to alter or diminish the Constitution, while the Congress and INDIA bloc are striving to protect it.

Mr. Gandhi highlighted that the Constitution grants rights pertaining to water, forests, and land, and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of seeking to consolidate power and remove these rights. He also emphasized the BJP’s intention to amend the Constitution and abolish reservation policies.

Moreover, he promised to surpass the 50% reservation cap and provide ample reservation for the economically challenged, backward classes, Dalits, and Adivasis. The BJP alleged that the Congress intends to manipulate reservation quotas to benefit Muslims, which the Congress refuted.

Prime Minister Modi challenged the Congress and its supporters to pledge against misusing reservations based on religion and assured that his party would not tamper with the Constitution or grant reservation based on religion. Moving on, Mr. Gandhi pointed out that the media overlooks atrocities against Adivasis, suggesting that this is because there is a lack of Adivasi representation in media companies.

He revealed the underrepresentation of Adivasis and other marginalized groups in the country’s bureaucratic and corporate sectors and pledged to conduct a caste census and an economic survey to address this issue. Additionally, Mr. Gandhi assured farmers of minimum support price (MSP) and loan waivers.

Ratlam is scheduled to vote on May 13 during the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha election. The Congress has nominated former MP and Union Minister Kantilal Bhuria, while the BJP has selected Anita Nagar Singh Chauhan as its candidate for the seat they won in the 2019 election.