Congress steers clear of comments on caste inclusion in census

With the opposition favouring inclusion of caste in census, Congress today steered clear of the party's position on the issue saying it will go by the consensus which the government evolves on the matter.

"UPA government has been endeavouring to build a consensus on the issue. Congress will be with whatever consensus the UPA government evolves," party spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters here.

Almost all political parties have given their views on the inclusion of caste in the census. The main opposition BJP has favoured the inclusion along with parties like the SP, RJD and JD(U).

Congress is the only party which has yet to give its opinion to the Group of Ministers, headed by finance minister Pranab Mukherjee.

The Core Group of the party, comprising of prime minister Manmohan Singh and party president Sonia Gandhi met yesterday to deliberate on the issue.