• Shabbir Ali addresses ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bheem, Jai Samvidhan’ campaign in Kamareddy

Kamareddy, May 2: Senior Congress leader and Government Advisor Mohammed Ali Shabbir on Friday claimed that the caste census conducted by the Congress Government in Telangana has become a national model, compelling the BJP-led Central government to follow suit. He said the credit for this significant policy shift goes to Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, who consistently championed the demand for a nationwide caste census as a tool for ensuring social justice.

Shabbir Ali was speaking at a district-level meeting of the Congress party in Kamareddy, held as part of the nationwide ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bheem, Jai Samvidhan’ campaign. The initiative aims to uphold constitutional values, fight for social equality, and mobilise grassroots workers across the country. The meeting was chaired by District Congress Committee President Kailas Srinivasa Rao and attended by Jukkal MLA Lakshmi Kantha Rao, Yellareddy MLA Madan Mohan Rao, former MLA E Ravinder Reddy, Agro Industries State Chairman Kasula Balaraj, and district in-charges Satyanarayana Goud and Venugopal Yadav.

Praising the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Shabbir Ali said Telangana had set the national agenda with its state-level caste census, which produced critical data showing that more than 56% of the population belonged to backward classes. “This initiative has now become a model for the country. It demonstrated what is possible when a government is committed to transparency and social equity,” he said.

Referring to the Centre’s recent announcement to include caste data in the national census – the first such enumeration since 1931 – Shabbir Ali said, “While Union Ministers are claiming credit for empowering marginalised communities, the truth is this decision was a direct outcome of the relentless efforts by the Congress party and the bold example set by Telangana. Without Rahul Gandhi’s persistent advocacy and the pressure created through movements like Bharat Jodo Yatra, this shift would not have happened.”

He also pointed out that Rahul Gandhi had not only demanded the caste census but also offered the Congress party’s support in designing a transparent and inclusive framework for its execution.

Calling upon Congress workers to remain disciplined and united, Shabbir Ali said the party must stay focused on public service, not positions. “Real leadership is about solving people’s issues. Let us not fight for posts but fight for the people,” he said. He cautioned against internal disputes and said anyone indulging in factionalism would face suspension. “Those who have worked sincerely at the grassroots will be recognised and given responsibilities.”

Taking a dig at the previous BRS regime, Shabbir Ali alleged that key drinking and irrigation water projects like Packages 21, 22, and 23 – initiated during his tenure as minister – were deliberately stalled. “Projects that required just  Rs 300 crore were inflated to  Rs 3,000 crore to benefit contractors,” he said.

He also highlighted the Congress government’s Indramma housing scheme, under which 3,500 houses are being sanctioned per constituency, with plans to increase the number to 10,000. “We will provide houses to every eligible poor family without any discrimination,” he assured.

Calling for wider outreach of the ‘Jai Bapu, Jai Bheem, Jai Samvidhan’ campaign, Shabbir urged party workers to take its message to every village. “It is our collective responsibility to strengthen the party. There should be no divide between old and new members. Every committed worker will have a place and a role,” he said.

The meeting saw participation from mandal and block Congress leaders, village presidents, former ZPTCs and MPTCs, sarpanches, and hundreds of dedicated party workers from across the district.

A two-minute silence was also observed to honour the victims of the Pahalgam terrorist attack.  (eom)