Patna, July 6: The NDA's newfound friend Jitan Ram Manjhi is singing the tune of RJD chief Lalu Prasad and other JDU leaders, demanding the caste census data in public domain.

Manjhi, the founder of Hindustani Awam Morcha Secular said: "A committee was formed for the caste census, proper survey was conducted and I do not find any logic behind keeping the caste census as a classified document. Once the census is put in the public domain, we will come to know the exact population of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes."

Lalu has announced he would take out a protest march on July 13, demanding the census details in the public domain. On the other hand, the BJP - the new ally of Manjhi - has slammed the JDU and the RJD terming their demand absurd.

The socio-economic and caste census data was jointly released by Union finance minister Arun Jaitley and rural development, panchayati raj and drinking water supply and sanitation minister Chaudhary Birendra Singh in New Delhi on Friday. The JDU and the RJD leaders have been demanding to make the census report public since then.

Manjhi appeared to be in sync with their demand but said making the data public was his personal opinion. He said it would help in formulating better policy for the underprivileged and downtrodden people in the society.

"Irrespective of castes, the data would show how many people are landless and homeless. Then only a better policy can be made for their betterment," the former chief minister said.

Attacking the Centre yesterday, Lalu had accused it of hiding the caste census data intentionally. So did the JDU state unit president, Bashishtha Narayan Singh.

The RJD chief had said the population of Dalilts must have increased because the survey was conducted after several years. He said the Centre must release the data so that a separate budget could be made for those who deserved better living standards.

Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Nand Kishore Yadav termed their demand absurd. The senior BJP leader said: "Those indulging in the politics of caste and religion want to use the report to disturb the harmony of the society. There is a progressive wave under the NDA leadership in Bihar. Jittery over it, the RJD and the JDU are conspiring to stoke the flames of caste politics."

Nand Kishore said: "The census report that has come out after 84 years has held mirror to parties like the Congress and its ally RJD, who have ruled Bihar for a long time. A BJP led-NDA government with a strong will power and focus on development can help change the situation. On the other hand, it is clear from the Congress's rule of 40 years, the RJD's rule of 15 years and the JDU's rule of two years that the poor, disadvantaged and farmers were subjects of only political slogans for them."