PATNA, May 4 -- In an apparent bid to woo the extremely backward classes (EBCs), leader of the opposition, Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, on Saturday accused the NDA government led by chief minister Nitish Kumar of doing little for the EBCs in their 20 years long stint in power and exhorted people to vote him for all round progress of the state during a EBC Jagao rally at Millar School ground. Earlier in the day, the former deputy CM, released a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi where he dwelled on the various dynamics of the nation wide caste census to be conducted by the Union government. Yadav has welcomed the caste census decision stating that the move will serve as "a transformative moment in our nation's journey towards equality". In the letter to PM Modi, Yadav has also stressed that the data of the caste enumeration should be used for reservation of constituencies for OBCs and EBCs, and also asked whether the data would be used as a catalyst for systemic reforms, or will it be confined to dusty archives like many previous commission reports Sharing the letter on X, Yadav wrote, "My letter to PM Narendra Modi. The decision to conduct the caste census can be a transformative moment in our nation's journey towards equality. The millions who have struggled for this census await not just data but dignity, not just enumeration but empowerment." In the letter, Yadav expressed "cautious optimism" over the Centre's move, stating that the NDA government had for years resisted demands for a caste census, dismissing them as divisive and unnecessary. He also alleged that the Centre repeatedly obstructed Bihar when it undertook a caste survey, including resistance from officials and BJP leaders. "Your belated decision represents an acknowledgement of the groundswell of demands from the citizens who have long been relegated to the margins of our society," Yadav wrote. At the EBC Jagao rally, Yadav underlined that the central government's decision to conduct a nationwide caste enumeration was done owing to RJD chief Lalu Prasad and his relentless campaign to demand for nationwide caste census. "RJD chief Lalu Prasad and I were at the forefront to demand the caste census . See, now the Union government has given its approval," he said. In his speech, Yadav, claimed the EBCs have not benefitted under the NDA rule of CM Kumar and alleged the present dispensation had become like a 'khatara gadi (rickety vehicle). "Even the government only allows 15 years old vehicles to run. The time has come when there is need to change and elect a new government. This government has become 'Khatara' and CM Kumar has become a 'tired' CM. Retired government officials are running the government," Yadav said. "The JD(U) is no more the same party, which stood for social justice, secularism . CM Kumar has been 'hijacked' and he has himself said in many occasion, how he had switched over to new alliances under influence of some leader. That means, the CM is working under influence of some people, who are controlling the affairs," Yadav added....