New Delhi: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday criticised the BJP during the presentation of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, raising concerns over the proposed delimitation process linked to the legislation.
Priyanka Gandhi said that the Congress played a key role in securing voting rights for women after Independence and in implementing reservation for women in local self-government institutions. She alleged that the BJP had opposed such measures in the past.
Accusing the Centre of political motives, she claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was attempting to project himself as a leader of women while altering earlier policies. She also questioned why reservation could not be implemented within the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats.
Priyanka further alleged that the government was relying on outdated census data to avoid conducting a caste census and was reluctant to ensure rightful representation for OBC communities.
Responding to the criticism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the opposition was misunderstanding the delimitation exercise. He assured that seats would be increased proportionately across states, including those in southern India, and that no region would face a disadvantage. He also stated that a caste census would be carried out under the government’s supervision.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi said he was not seeking credit for the bill but warned that those opposing the Women’s Reservation Bill would not be forgiven by women in the long run.
