Just ahead of the final phase of 16th general elections that include Varanasi lok Sabha constituency, Gujarat Congress raised question on BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s OBC status. However, the saffron brigade immediately retaliated with all the necessary evidence.
Congress spokesman and known Modi detractor, Shaktisinh Gohil, claimed that Narendra Modi belongs to an upper caste but has “manipulated” his other backward castes (OBC) status for political gains.
“Modi is deliberately trying to invoke his OBC status to gain sympathy and exploit OBC votes, especially in Varanasi, from where he is contesting,” said Gohil, the former leader of Opposition in Gujarat Assembly as well as former Minister.
He also alleged, “Modi belongs to rich and prosperous Modh Ghanchis who were never given any kind of reservation nor were included in OBCs before Modi became CM. The State Government had issued a circular in this regard including the community in OBC category in 2002 after Modi became the CM.”
Retaliation came quickly from Gujarat Government. Senior Minister and State Government spokesman Nitin Patel said that ‘Modh Ghanchi’ sub-caste included in the Gujarat Government’s list (25-B) of 146 castes of Socially & Educationally Backward Class and Other Backward Class (OBC) list.
The Mandal Commission had prepared a list of OBCs under index 91(A), said Patel adding, “In that list Modh Ganchi caste was included. The Government of India’s list for 105 OBC castes in Gujarat also included Modi-Ganchi caste. The notification to include this sub-caste into the OBC list was released by the Gujarat Government on 25th July 1994.’’
Replying accusation of Gohil, Patel said that Modi’s caste was included as OBC as per GOI notification dated 4th April 2000. “When both these notifications were released Narendrabhai was not the Chief Minister of Gujarat,” he added.