Mysuru, 17 April

Krishnaraja BJP MLA TS Srivatsa on Thursday alleged that the Congress government is using the caste census issue as a ploy to divert public attention from its failures, corruption, and internal conflicts.

Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, Srivatsa claimed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has brought the caste census, also known as the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey, into the spotlight not to benefit the people, but as a tactic to safeguard his position and embarrass Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar — a strong contender for the chief minister’s post, should the Congress high command consider a leadership change.

Srivatsa criticised the caste census report as outdated and unscientific, pointing out that it was conducted a decade ago. “With major socio-economic changes over the years, a fresh and accurate survey is necessary,” he argued.