As Bihar assembly elections approach, Congress has intensified its campaign against the Narendra Modi-led central government. The party has accused the government of neglecting Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) over the past 11 years.

Senior leaders from Congress’ SC, ST, and OBC wings held a joint press conference in New Delhi, where they alleged that despite having all required qualifications, candidates from reserved communities are often declared “Not Found Suitable” (NFS) and seats are deliberately left vacant.

Allegations of Neglect Towards Bahujan Communities

Addressing the media, Vikrant Bhuria, head of Adivasi Congress, stated that communities representing nearly 90 percent of India’s population are receiving only 12 percent of seats in private higher education institutions. He reminded that a parliamentary committee had already recommended that private higher education institutes provide 15 percent reservation for SCs, 7.5 percent for STs, and 27 percent for OBCs.

According to Bhuria, despite these recommendations, the Modi government has taken no action, reflecting indifference towards marginalized sections. He claimed that while the government speaks about welfare, in reality, it prioritizes the interests of a select few.

Demand for Reservation in Private Institutions

Rajendra Pal, head of Congress’ SC cell, demanded that the central government immediately implement reservations in private institutions. He also called for adherence to the committee’s recommendations and the provision of free coaching facilities for students from weaker sections.

Pal argued that unless private institutions adopt the reservation system, true equality in education cannot be achieved. His demand reflects Congress’ attempt to highlight systemic exclusion and pressurize the government ahead of state elections.

Congress Strategy Before Bihar Elections

These demands come just months before the November Bihar assembly elections. Congress appears to be focusing on caste and social polarization to mobilize support from marginalized groups.

Earlier, the INDIA alliance, led by Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav, accused the BJP and Election Commission of collusion over alleged voter fraud. The alliance has already conducted “Voter Adhikar Yatra” to highlight the issue.

Now, by shifting focus to SC, ST, and OBC concerns, Congress is attempting to counter the BJP, which has been amplifying controversies such as derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Modi’s mother.

Constitutional Background and Government’s Inaction

Bhuria also reminded that it was during a Congress government that Article 15(5) was amended to allow reservations in private institutions. He described this amendment as a revolutionary step towards equality.

According to him, 11 years under Modi have passed without any progress on this law. He accused the BJP government of sidelining the needs of marginalized communities while claiming to work for their upliftment.

The NFS Controversy: New Form of Discrimination?

Highlighting a recurring trend, Jaihind, president of Congress’ OBC cell, accused the government of creating a new mechanism to deny opportunities to Dalit and OBC candidates. He explained that the label “Not Found Suitable” (NFS) is used to reject candidates who otherwise fulfill all required qualifications.

Jaihind stated that this practice leaves reserved seats vacant, defeating the purpose of affirmative action. He argued that NFS has become a new tool for systemic discrimination, allowing authorities to bypass reservation mandates under the guise of merit.

Modi Government Accused of Ignoring OBC Interests

Jaihind also criticized Prime Minister Modi, who identifies as OBC, for failing to protect OBC interests. He pointed out that since 2017, the government has not revised the “creamy layer” criteria, which defines income limits for OBC reservation eligibility.

He emphasized that even after the Supreme Court upheld the validity of reservation in private institutions, the government has failed to act. According to him, this shows deliberate negligence over 11 years.

Caste Census and Pending Mandal Commission Recommendations

Congress leaders also questioned the government’s approach to caste census. Jaihind stated that while the government reluctantly agreed to conduct a caste-based census under pressure, there is still no roadmap for its execution.

He reminded that the same government had earlier labeled those advocating caste census as “urban Naxals.” He added that of the 40 recommendations made by the Mandal Commission, only two have been implemented so far, leaving 38 still pending.

Congress’ Political Messaging

Through this coordinated attack, Congress is attempting to position itself as the defender of marginalized communities. By highlighting the NFS issue and the lack of progress on key constitutional provisions, the party hopes to consolidate SC, ST, and OBC voters ahead of Bihar elections.

This strategy also signals a broader narrative, where Congress aims to contrast its own record on social justice with what it describes as BJP’s indifference. With caste dynamics playing a crucial role in Bihar politics, these issues are likely to dominate campaign debates in the coming months.

The Congress party’s fresh offensive against the Modi government, centered on the NFS controversy and reservation in private institutions, underscores the increasing importance of caste-based concerns in Indian politics.

As Bihar heads into elections, the opposition is leveraging long-standing issues of social justice, educational access, and representation to galvanize voter sentiment.

Whether these allegations resonate with voters or not will depend on how effectively Congress can sustain this narrative and how the BJP counters it with its own strategies.