NEW DELHI : The BJP launched a fresh attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday, asking why is he not supporting the implementation of 33-per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies if he “truly favours” it.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh alleged “double standards” on the part of the Congress on the issue of women’s quota, and also slammed its allies, accusing them of obstructing its implementation.
“The central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, enacted the law to provide 33-per cent reservation to women in Parliament and state assemblies. Now, when steps are being taken to operationalise and implement it swiftly, the Congress is looking for excuses,” Chugh told PTI Videos.
“If Rahul Gandhi is truly in favour of women’s reservation, why is he not supporting its implementation?” the Rajya Sabha MP asked.
“Women need rights and representation, not mere slogans. The Congress must now abandon its double standards and stop obstructing the path of women’s empowerment. It should stand in support of the prime minister’s efforts regarding the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam,” he added.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress sparred on Saturday over the women’s quota and delimitation bills after Gandhi said no country can be successful if its women do not express themselves, prompting Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju to call it a “visible change of heart” and express the hope that the opposition party will support the proposed legislation.
Responding to Rijiju’s comments on X, Gandhi hit back, saying, “Mr Rijiju, who would know better than you, as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, that the Women’s Reservation Bill 2023 has already been passed unanimously, with the full support of the Congress.” “The question is why has it still not been implemented even after three years, and why do you now want to unnecessarily link it to delimitation?” Gandhi asked in a post on X.
“Implement the 2023 law. Without any conditions,” he added.
Reacting to Gandhi’s retort, Rijju said the Congress leader knows “very well” that the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023, has provisions for reserving seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
“The exercise for publishing the census figures after the year 2026 is currently underway. However, this may take substantial time due to the caste-based census to be finally published. In view of this, it may result in considerable delay in the implementation of women reservation, at least not before the 2034 General Elections,” the senior BJP leader said.
Therefore, to implement the women’s reservation in the next general election in 2029, the delimitation exercise needs to be undertaken at the earliest, based on the latest available census figures, as published, he added.
Rijiju said the implementation methodology has been proposed under the Delimitation Bill, 2026, introduced in the Lok Sabha along with amendments to the Constitution.
However, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which was introduced for this purpose, has been defeated, the minister said.
On Thursday, Rijiju had a telephonic conversation with Gandhi to seek support for the passage of the women’s reservation and delimitation bills, but the leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha insisted on convening an all-party meeting on the proposed laws, sources aware of the matter had said.
This was the second time in a couple of days that the parliamentary affairs minister spoke with Gandhi on the phone. The minister has also met the Congress leader twice in 10 days for smooth functioning of the House. (Source: PTI)
