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Congress OBC leaders want quota within women’s quota, seek rollout post caste census
Differences emerged within the Congress over when to implement the 33% women’s reservation in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Some OBC leaders want OBC women included within the women’s quota, to be rolled out only after the caste census is completed. Rahul Gandhi urged the OBC wing to put their views in writing.
Why It Matters
The dispute reveals internal party tensions over policy timing on caste-based reservations and ties potential reform to census milestones, influencing Congress positioning ahead of elections.
Timeline
1 Event
OBC leaders press for quota for OBC women within women's quota, linked to census rollout
April 22, 2026
At a closed-door meeting of the Congress national advisory council of the OBC wing, several OBC leaders argued that the 33% women’s reservation should include a quota for OBC women within the broader women’s quota, and that this should be implemented only after the caste census, as part of the ongoing census, is completed. Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, suggested that the party’s OBC leaders should put their views in writing.