In a key organisational move, the Congress party has appointed Anil Kumar Yadav as the new Chairman of its Other Backward Classes (OBC) department. The announcement came a day after the party concluded its two-day All India Congress Committee (AICC) session held along the Sabarmati Riverfront in Gujarat.
The appointment signals the party’s renewed focus on strengthening its connection with OBC communities, ahead of crucial electoral battles.
At the AICC session, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge made an emotional appeal to party workers, urging them to remain united and committed in order to ensure the formation of a Congress-led government in Gujarat in the upcoming elections.
Kharge underscored the party’s commitment to the marginalised, stating, “We stand with the poor, minorities, backward classes, Dalits and those treated as untouchables.
Congress supports all communities, regardless of religion or caste. If everyone supports the party, we will certainly succeed in forming the next government in Gujarat.”
He also drew attention to a speech by senior party leader Rahul Gandhi, who launched a strong critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP-RSS ideology.
“Rahul Gandhi explained how PM Modi, the BJP, and the RSS are damaging the country. Congress ideology must be carried forward. Any institution requires manpower, mental strength, and economic power. While we may lack economic resources, we possess strong manpower and intellectual capability,” Kharge stated.
Rahul Gandhi, who currently serves as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, also addressed the gathering and reiterated his concerns about the ruling party’s alleged attempts to control democratic institutions.
“The RSS ideology is contrary to the Constitution. They want to end democracy and gain control over all national institutions, while handing over the country's wealth to corporate giants like Ambani and Adani,” Gandhi alleged.
He also criticised the recent Waqf (Amendment) Bill, calling it an assault on religious freedom and constitutional rights. Gandhi said that parties within the INDIA bloc were united in their opposition to the legislation, and emphasised the importance of maintaining unity across opposition ranks.
Reiterating a long-standing demand of the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi once again called for a nationwide caste census. He accused the Modi-led government of deliberately avoiding the exercise.
“In Telangana, we introduced a revolutionary caste census. I had asked PM Modi in Parliament to carry out a similar census nationwide to determine the true representation of Dalits, tribals, and backward communities. But he and the RSS refused, as they do not wish to disclose how much of the nation’s resources actually reach these communities,” Gandhi said.
He added that the Congress was committed to passing a caste census bill in Parliament, to ensure equitable representation and policy-making grounded in social justice.
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