2 May 2024: In a significant shift of electoral dynamics, the Congress Party has taken the forefront in setting the agenda for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections with its comprehensive manifesto titled “Nyaya Patra” (Justice Declaration). Promising to safeguard the Constitution, ensure justice for all communities, and uphold reservation quotas for SCs, STs, and OBCs, the Congress has put the BJP and its leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the defensive.
This departure marks a departure from previous elections, where the BJP traditionally dictated the narrative by leveraging polarizing religious and emotional issues. However, the BJP’s apparent lack of a distinct agenda in the face of Congress’s focused manifesto has left it scrambling to counter each point raised by the opposition party.
Of particular concern for the BJP and its ideological mentor, the Sangh Parivar, is the Congress’s pledge to conduct a nationwide caste census and pursue a constitutional amendment to raise the 50% cap on reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs. Congress argues that despite forming the majority of India’s population, these communities are underrepresented in key sectors. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the Congress, has repeatedly warned that the BJP aims to alter the Constitution, endangering the rights granted to these marginalized groups.
Highlighting historical perspectives, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh points to longstanding RSS demands for constitutional amendments, suggesting a potential BJP agenda to amend reservation provisions. The BJP’s discomfort with Congress’s promises reflects fears of losing support among SCs, STs, and OBCs, cultivated over decades by the Sangh Parivar.
Prime Minister Modi has retaliated by accusing Congress of intending to allocate quota shares for Muslims if elected, shifting the campaign discourse from emotive issues like the Ram Mandir to constitutional safeguards and reservation rights. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent reassurance that BJP stands by existing quotas contrasts with his previous call for a review of reservation policies, raising questions about the party’s true stance.
Concerns persist among quota beneficiaries over BJP’s intentions, especially amidst reports of quotas being circumvented through contractual hiring and de-reservation policies in educational institutions. Opposition leaders warn that BJP’s actions undermine the hard-won gains of SCs, STs, and OBCs, underscoring the importance of vigilance in protecting their rights.
As the electoral battle intensifies, the clash between Congress’s vision of inclusive governance and BJP’s defensive posture on reservation quotas underscores the evolving landscape of Indian politics, with implications for the nation’s social fabric and democratic ethos.
