'It was my mistake': Rahul Gandhi says he couldn't do as much he should have for OBCs

Rahul Gandhi

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that he couldn't protect the interest of OBC's as much as he should have. He held himself responsible for not getting the caste census done earlier.

"I understood Dalit problems, which are clear; one can understand issues of STs also clearly. The issues of OBCs are hidden. I regret that if I had known more about your history and issues, I would have gotten the caste census done. That is my mistake and not that of the Congress. I am going to correct that mistake," Gandhi said.

"I have been doing politics since 2004, it has been 21 years, and when I look back and do a self-analysis, where all I did the right thing and where I fell short. I see two-three big issues such as land acquisition bill, MGNREGA, food bill, fight for tribals, I did these things wrong," he added.

He said that he did a good work when it comes marginalised communities and women but that was not case with the OBC section.

"When it comes to Dalits, tribals and minorities, I should get good marks. On women's issues, I should get good marks. But when I look back, I can see clearly that in one thing I was lacking, I committed one mistake -- I did not protect the OBC section the way I should have," he said.

The Congress leader said the caste census in Telangana is a "political earthquake" that will cause a huge "aftershock" in the country.

"The caste census in Telangana is a political earthquake. It has shaken the political ground of the country. You have not felt its aftershock but the impact will be there," Gandhi said.

"We will conduct a caste census and an X-ray of the population in all Congress-ruled states," he added.

He also slammed RSS and BJP and said that they have erased the history of OBCs and they are not getting the reward for their efforts.

"RSS, BJP have deliberately erased history of OBCs, who are productive force of country.

My aim is to get respect for them. They are not getting fruits of their labour: Rahul Gandhi. No OBC, Dalit, tribal got corporate package of crores in Telangana as per data; they are only standing in MGNREGA queue," said Rahul.