Caste and quota are expected to rule politics in the coming months, with the NCP boss Sharad Pawar on Monday declaring that his party will create public pressure against the Centre’s constitutional amendment. He also asked the central government to conduct a caste census and share empirical data with states. Parliament on Wednesday passed the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-Seventh Amendment) Bill, 2021 to restore the powers of the states to make their own OBC lists.

“It is misunderstood that the Centre has restored the states’ right to grant reservations. The provision made through the amendment is of no use when the 50 per cent cap exists,” he said, adding that the bill was not even discussed seriously in the Monsoon session. Pawar said the amendment amounted to cheating the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). “It's like inviting people to a treat and then tying their hands before they start eating."