Union Minister Pralhad Joshi Asserts Central Authority for Caste Census in Karnataka

Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal, and Mines, Pralhad Joshi, asserted that the Karnataka government lacks the authority to conduct a caste census, emphasizing that this responsibility rests with the central government. Joshi expressed concern about the internal conflicts within the Congress government regarding the caste census issue, highlighting differences among leaders.

He cited the Chairman of the Backward Classes Commission’s letter, indicating the loss of the original blueprint. Joshi criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for allegedly creating factions within the Congress, causing confusion and impacting governance. He accused Siddaramaiah of dominating the issue by positioning certain MLAs at the forefront, undermining the judicious functioning of the government.