New Delhi [India], July 26 : Congress Lok Sabha MP Sukhdeo Bhagat on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that he is a "legally converted OBC" and not one by birth.
"There is a saying that stepmothers can't provide the same love as the original (birth) mother," Bhagat told ANI.
The Congress MP was responding to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan's remarks, who labelled the Congress as "anti-OBC".
"I want to clear this with Dharmendra Pradhan. The Prime Minister is a legally converted OBC. I am saying this because when he became the Chief Minister, the inclusion of communities occurred under the OBC category, and he included his own caste in the list. This is why I say that he is not an OBC from birth, but a legally converted one," Bhagat said.
Praising Leader of Opposition (LoP) Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's views on caste census, Bhagat argued that all-round development was only possible when all communities grow and contribute to the nation's development.
"Rahul Gandhi's clarity is exemplary. If you look at what Rahul Gandhi spoke about caste census and OBCs...in the context of India, caste is a closed society. Statuses can change, and people can move forward economically. Rahul Gandhi understands this. He wants the majority communities to partake in the nation's development, and he wants to figure out ways to ensure this happens," he said.
"Today, no leader can accept their mistakes. Rahul Gandhi is the first to do so. His intentions are clear. If you talk about all-round development, it is only possible when all communities grow and contribute. This is what Rahul Gandhi wants," Bhagat added.
Bhagat's remarks come amid a political back-and-forth following comments by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who on Friday accused the Congress party of being against reservation and the empowerment of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He also alleged that Congress leaders were spreading lies about the Modi government's work for OBCs and claimed that the party has a history of opposing social justice.
Speaking to reporters, Pradhan said, "The Congress party has become bankrupt. Their leader is also undergoing bankruptcy. Today, we heard the Congress party taking the support of lies once again. They have said that the Modi Govt has not done anything for OBCs. After independence, for the first time, India has been served for the last 11 years under the leadership of an OBC. Congress is bothered by that..."
Pradhan further alleged that the Congress has a long history of opposing social justice.
"Generation after generation, the Congress party has been against reservation, especially against the empowerment of SC-ST-OBC..." he said.
The Union Minister also took a dig at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, challenging him to present comparative data on recruitment during the tenures of the Congress and Modi governments.
Earlier, Gandhi acknowledged that not conducting a caste census during the UPA government was a mistake, and said he is now determined to correct it.
Speaking at the 'Bhagidari Nyay Sammelan' of OBC at Talkatora Stadium in Delhi, he said he failed to understand the issues of the Other Backward Classes (OBC) community earlier, unlike those of Dalits, tribals, and women, where he claimed the Congress had done commendable work.