Rahul Gandhi promises survey for wealth redistribution if voted to power

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has raised the pitch for wealth redistribution in India, saying that his party will conduct a nationwide survey if voted to power to ensure that money is distributed to various sections of the society as per their population.

"First, we will conduct a caste census to know the exact population and status of backward castes, SCs, STs, minorities and other castes. After that, the financial and institutional survey will begin. Subsequently, we will take up the historic assignment to distribute the wealth of India, jobs and other welfare schemes to these sections based on their population," the Congress leader said at a rally in Hyderabad last week.

Rahul said that the SCs, STs, OBCs and minorities make up nearly 90 per cent of the total population of the country but struggle to find jobs. "The truth is that this 90 per cent of the population does not have a share at all," the Wayanad MP said.

In its manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections, which was released last week, the Congress said that it is time for an economic policy re-set in the country. "We will address the growing inequality of wealth and income through suitable changes in policies," it said.

Last year, Rahul Gandhi had endorsed the slogan of 'Jitni abadi, utna haq', pointing out how the central government has poor representation of OBC employees.

"The caste census of Bihar has revealed that OBC SC ST are 84% there. Out of 90 secretaries of the Central Government, only 3 are OBC, who handle only 5% of India's budget! Therefore, it is important to know the caste statistics of India. 'Jitni Abadi Utna Haq' – this is our pledge," Rahul had posted on social media.

Rahul's call for "Jitni Abadi, Utna Haq" drew heavy criticism from BJP, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

PM Modi accused the Congress of trying to reduce the rights of minorities with such remarks.

"What would the former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh be thinking? Former Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh used to say that the minorities have the first right on the resources of the country and that too the Muslims, but now the Congress is saying that the population will decide who will have the first right. Does Congress now want to reduce the rights of the minorities?” Modi had said.