Bengaluru, 9 Oct

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said Haryana Assembly election results will have no impact on the commitment of the Congress government in the State on the issue of caste census.

Cabinet is "most likely" to discuss the Socio-Economic and Education Survey report, also known as "caste census", based on a survey conducted in 2014-15 in the State, on 18 October.

"Caste census is not merely to figure out numbers, it helps the government to devise better policies, schemes and in better governance ..." he said, as he termed difference of opinion among leaders from Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities within ruling Congress on caste census as "diversity", "while you call it different opinions".

Noting that the BJP is claiming moral high ground and demanding Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's resignation on the MUDA issue, Kharge urged the Opposition party to look within their outfit pointing at state BJP President BY Vijayendra's election affidavit in which he has clearly mentioned about an ED (Enforcement Directorate) case against him.

He further pointed out that Vijayendra's father and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa is facing a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences case. "...you are going around and giving us moral lectures. What morality do they have?"

Meanwhile, Former Congress MP DK Suresh said that overconfidence within the party had led to the loss in Haryana assembly elections.

"In J&K, the people have given us a good mandate where the INDIA alliance is going to form the govt. In Haryana, I think we had overconfidence in the election procedure and that we are going to come back. That is the major disadvantage that we are facing. Our party's high command will discuss the length and breadth of the defeat and lapses of the election..." he said. -Agencies