Bengaluru, June 12 -- Karnataka Minister Santosh Lad on Thursday criticised the BJP for questioning the state government's decision to re-conduct the caste census, calling it a "political gimmick" and reaffirmed the Congress party's continued support for the excercise.

Speaking to reporters on the caste census, Santosh Lad said, "As for the tax payer money, I am not aware of how much more money will be spent. Already 160 crore and bit of the central assistance has been spent. Let us finish today's cabinet meeting, and then I could fill in with the other details."

"You (media) should ask the BJP because they have always opposed reservation, they opposed the Mandal Commission and all other reservations in the country. The people who have ...