The Karnataka caste survey has ignited fresh tension within the Congress party, especially over concerns that it favors Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Kuruba community.
The survey, presented to the state cabinet on April 11, estimates that OBCs make up 69.6% of Karnataka’s population — significantly higher than earlier projections. However, the population shares of two politically powerful groups, Lingayats (13.6%) and Vokkaligas (12.2%), came in lower than commonly believed. This has alarmed several Congress leaders, who fear the revised figures could reduce these communities’ political clout.
Congress insiders say this shift may complicate future ticket allocations, as nearly 44% of the party’s current MLAs belong to the Lingayat and Vokkaliga groups.
While the report suggests a quota increase for these groups under the II B category, the most contentious issue is the increase in the II A quota from 15% to 22%, which includes Kurubas. Moreover, the survey proposes a new “Most Backward Classes” (I B) category, recommending a 12% quota for it — potentially dominated by Kurubas.
Critics within the party allege that this reclassification unfairly benefits the Kuruba community, calling it a “mischievous act” by the CM. One senior leader argued that reservation benefits should gradually reduce as communities become more empowered — not the other way around.
Some also question the validity of the survey, citing outdated data collected in 2015. Suggestions have been made to re-conduct the survey under a committee headed by a retired Supreme Court judge.
The timing is delicate for the Congress, as Rahul Gandhi champions a national caste census and broader OBC outreach, while parts of the Karnataka unit — and upper-caste Congress leaders at the national level — remain uneasy.