“Since 2004, I have been in politics. Twenty-one years have passed. When I look back, and in a way, analyse myself – where I did the right thing and where I lacked – I see a couple of big issues. I worked on the Land Acquisition Bill, MGNREGA, Right to Food, Tribal Bill… These things I did well. I feel I should get good marks on issues of Tribals, Dalits, minorities, women… When I look back, I see one thing clearly. I lacked on one thing, made a mistake – what was it? The Congress and I made a mistake. I should have protected the OBC section; I didn’t. The reason for this was that I didn’t understand your issues at the time,” he said.

Gandhi said that around a decade ago, he “could see the problems faced by Dalits” – “it was clear and I understood it”. “Untouchability is their history,” he said.

Talking of Tribals, Gandhi said, “It is easy to understand issues of Tribals – jungle (forest), jal (water), zameen (land) are right there for you to see.”

“But the OBC issues are hidden, and not easy to see. My regret is that if I knew your history and issues, I would have got the caste census done then. And it is my mistake and not the Congress’s. The good thing is that if I had got the caste census done then, it wouldn’t have been as good as it will be now,” he said.

Gandhi said that the Telangana caste survey is like a “tsunami” and that its “aftershock” will be felt soon. “The way the tsunami came… The earthquake that led to the tsunami wasn’t seen. It was under the sea… When the tsunami came, its impact was felt 2-3 hours later. The same has happened in Telangana,” he said.