The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized the Congress, labeling it as “anti-Dalit,” following Rahul Gandhi’s concerns about the alleged exclusion of Bahujan entrepreneurs from significant public sector contracts. Gandhi had raised questions in Parliament regarding the allocation of Rs 16,500 crore worth of public works contracts last year, particularly focusing on contracts given to Dalits, Adivasis, and Other Backward Classes. In response, BJP leaders defended the government, accusing Congress of a historical pattern of neglecting Dalit communities and dismissing Gandhi’s criticisms.
BJP’s National Spokesperson C.R. Kesavan, in a statement, accused the Congress of consistently displaying a “Dalit-antagonistic mindset” over time. Kesavan highlighted instances where Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, allegedly expressed powerlessness in decision-making despite holding significant positions within the party. He criticized the Congress leadership, claiming that the party’s top hierarchy, including the Gandhi family, had undermined the role of the Congress President, currently held by Kharge, reducing it to a symbolic position.
Kesavan further intensified the critique, recalling past incidents where the Gandhi family purportedly disrespected Kharge, such as during Priyanka Gandhi’s nomination filing. He emphasized the Congress party’s alleged historical mistreatment of Dalits and accused Rahul Gandhi of perpetuating a “Dalit-antagonistic mindset.” Bihar Minister Dilip Jaiswal also joined the criticism, questioning why past Congress leaders did not ensure the rights of backward castes, urging Gandhi to seek answers from his ancestors regarding injustices committed against these communities.
