‘OBCs will have to think …’: Congress’ Udit Raj likens Rahul Gandhi to Ambedkar; BJP slams comparison | India News

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday stepped up its attack on Congress after party leader Udit Raj claimed that Rahul Gandhi can become “second Ambedkar” if the members of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community support and follow him.In a social media post on X, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya accused Congress of hatching a conspiracy to diminish Ambedkar’s legacy.“Congress is now worried about finding another Ambedkar. But the country knows how Congress betrayed Dr Ambedkar and repeatedly insulted him, which is recorded in history, ” Malviya said.Malviya also took a sharp swipe at Rahul and said that he can “never become anything, except a historic failure.”“The question is — why isn’t Congress searching for another Nehru? Because this effort is a conspiracy to diminish Dr Ambedkar’s legacy and greatness,” “And as for Rahul Gandhi — he can never become anything, except a historic failure,” he added.Earlier, Congress leader Udit Raj had said that OBC community should follow what Rahul had said during the Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan at Delhi.“OBCs will have to think that history does not give opportunities for progress again and again. They should follow and support what Rahul Gandhi said in the Talkatora Stadium conference,” Raj said.“If they do so, then Rahul Gandhi will prove to be the second Ambedkar for them,” he added.Earlier on Friday, Rahul Gandhi acknowledged that not conducting a caste census during the UPA government was a mistake, and said he was determined to correct it.“I think about my work, where I did well and where I fell short, and I see two to three things. Land Acquisition Bill, MNREGA, Right to Food, Tribal Bill, and Niyamgiri struggle — all these things I did well. As far as the issues of tribals, Dalits, and women are concerned, I should get good marks there. I did good work,” he said.“One shortcoming remained in the Congress Party and my work, I didn’t protect the OBC community the way I should have. The reason is that I didn’t deeply understand the OBC issues at that time. Ten to fifteen years ago, I understood the difficulties faced by Dalits. Their issues are visible, they are easily understood, but the problems of OBCs remain hidden. If I had known about your issues and problems at that time, I would have conducted a caste-based census right then. That was my mistake, which I am going to correct,” he said, adding that in a way, it’s good that it happened, because if I had conducted a caste-based census back then, it wouldn’t have been like it is today.Meanwhile, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated the party’s demand for a nationwide caste-based census and the removal of the 50 per cent cap on reservations. He also launched an attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of denying rights to backward communities and misleading the country.“I am happy that a large number of people have gathered here and they understand their rights. Conducting a caste-based census in the country and abolishing the 50 per cent reservation limit is our demand. Narendra Modi does not want to give reservations to those who are educationally backwards, but we stand with them,” Kharge said.