The BJP and the JD(U) reacted cautiously to the cabinet's decision to carry out an independent caste census, while the Congress welcomed the move saying it is with the government on the issue. JD(U) President Sharad Yadav, who has been spearheading the demand for inclusion of caste in the ongoing census exercise, said his party will examine the government's decision. BJP spokesperson Shahnawaj Hussain said that they would have been happier had the caste been included in the on-going census process. The RJD leader Lalu Prasad has described the cabinet decision as a 'victory' of the political parties. He said all castes will be benefited by such a census. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said the party is with the government over the issue. He said casteism is the reality of India. If the government of India has recognized this reality and agreed to inclusion of caste in census, nobody should have any objection. The reactions came after the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, decided in favour of caste census. The exercise would be carried out next year independent of the ongoing census operation. Briefing media, the Home Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram said that house to house enumeration of castes will be done from June to September next year. Mr Chidambaram said that every point of view has been accommodated and a time table has been drawn up after the Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee's consultations with various political parties.