Chirag Paswan Advocates Nationwide Caste Census for Improved Government Policy Implementation

Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party Ram Vilas president Chirag Paswan has advocated for a nationwide caste-based census. He believes that such data will reveal the exact population of various societal sections needing upliftment. Speaking at the India Today Conclave in Mumbai, Paswan expressed confidence that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will again form the government in Bihar, where assembly elections are scheduled for late 2025.

Paswan confirmed that the upcoming Bihar assembly polls will be led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He referred to Kumar, a JDU leader and former political rival, while discussing the elections. The Dalit leader from Bihar emphasised his party's commitment to representing certain societal sections. "We LJP-Ram Vilas have our own priorities, our concerns for the section of the society which we represent," he stated.

Support for Caste-Based Census

Paswan clarified his stance on caste-based census and lateral entry in government jobs. He insisted on the necessity of a caste-based census, arguing that many policies are based on caste to integrate communities into the mainstream. "The government must at least have the data of the population of that community so that funds could be allotted accordingly," he remarked.

The LJP Ram Vilas president highlighted his alignment with ally BJP on caste-based reservations. He noted NDA's support for the caste survey conducted in Bihar in 2023. Paswan also expressed his party's strong reservations about lateral entry recruitments in bureaucracy, which he opposed.

Political Expansion Plans

Paswan mentioned informing Prime Minister Narendra Modi about unrest among Scheduled Castes and OBCs regarding UPSC's lateral entry decision. This decision to fill key government posts was later rescinded. As a first-time Union minister, Paswan aims to expand his largely Bihar-centric political party and plans to contest upcoming assembly polls in Jharkhand.

When asked about maintaining unity within his party, Paswan confidently stated that all five Lok Sabha MPs would remain with him. He dismissed predictions of his party breaking apart as mere daydreams. On the Agnipath scheme for defence recruitment, Paswan saw no reason to oppose it now.

Paswan shared that he and a party delegation discussed the Agnipath scheme with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Singh explained the programme in detail, addressing criticisms from opposition parties. Paswan's comments reflect his strategic approach to both national and regional political landscapes.