NEW DELHI: With the GoM failing to take a clear stand on caste-based census at its first meeting held on Thursday, and Congress refusing to take a call, the demand, it would appear, has been put in a limbo.
The Opposition, on its part, has made it clear that it’ll not bail the government out on the issue. The GoM, which met here for an hour-and-a-half on Thursday evening, was, it is learnt, split on the issue. With consensus eluding the ministerial group, it was decided that other political parties too should be brought into the loop, and their views elicited.
Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee, who heads the group, will shortly be writing letters to leaders of various political outfits to seek their opinion. The move, it is learnt, has been prompted by two considerations. After displaying an initial burst of enthusiasm on demands for including caste as a reference point in the ongoing census exercise, the government leadership, it is learnt, has developed cold-feet.
By attempting to involve the other political parties in the decision-making process, the GoM, it’d appear, is seeking to buy time. Also, by trying to get other political parties, particularly BJP and the Left parties, on board, the government leadership, it is being argued in some quarters, is reluctant to get all the flak and is, therefore, keen to apportion the blame, should a decision either way become a political hot potato in the future, as had happened in the case of the Telangana controversy. BJP, the country’s principal Opposition party, made it clear on Friday that it was on mood to take the bait. ``The government should first open its cards. After all, a decision on the demand has to be taken by the government. Once a structured view of the government comes to us, only then will we take a call in the light of its response,’’ the party’s chief spokesman, Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad told. “After all, on such a sensitive issue, the government itself is speaking in many voices. Congress should first clarify its stand,’’ the BJP spokesman added.
Congress, on its part, opted to remain evasive, refusing to spell out its stand despite persistent queries. ``The GoM is looking in to the issue. From the reports appearing today, it’d appear that the group would elicit the opinion of various political parties on the subject. We’ll articulate our position only when they (the GoM) approach us,’’ party spokesman Manish Tewari said. The Congress leader refused to place his party’s cards on the table, taking refuge behind reports that the GoM would solicit the views of various political parties before formulating its recommendation.
