BJP never opposed idea of caste census, but appropriate decision on it to be taken after consulting everyone: Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said the BJP never opposed the idea of caste census, but it would take appropriate decision on it after consulting everyone, a statement that comes amid a strong demand by the Congress and some other parties to carry out the exercise at the national level.

He was talking to reporters at the launch of the party's manifesto for this month's Chhattisgarh elections here at Kushabhau Thakre Parisar, the BJP's state office.

When asked about the ruling Congress' 17 poll guarantees, including caste census in the state, Shah said, "We are a national party and we don't do politics of votes on this issue. We will take the appropriate decision after consulting everyone and tell about it. But contesting polls on its basis is not correct." "BJP has never opposed this (caste census), but decisions have to be taken very thoughtfully. We will tell at the appropriate time," he said.

The Congress has promised to carry out caste census in Chhattisgarh if it retains power in the state.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have been targeting the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre during their rallies in the poll-bound state, asking if Prime Minister Narendra Modi can talk about the welfare of the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), why is he scared of OBC census.