Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has raised concerns over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statements regarding women’s reservation, delimitation, and the timing of his speech during the ongoing elections. Gehlot challenged the government’s confidence in response to the Prime Minister’s assertion that women nationwide would “teach a lesson” to the Congress and opposition parties. He suggested that if the Prime Minister is truly confident, he should dissolve the Lok Sabha and call for fresh elections on this issue to seek a new mandate.
Gehlot also criticized the proposed delimitation process, arguing that conducting it based on the 2011 Census would be unfair, especially for Other Backwards Classes. He emphasized that carrying out delimitation using the 2011 Census data instead of waiting for the 2026 caste census would deny the rights of Other Backward Class women. Gehlot highlighted that once the caste census is completed, it would provide accurate population data of Other Backward Classes, ensuring fair and adequate reservation.
Expressing strong disapproval of the timing of the Prime Minister’s speech, Gehlot alleged that delivering such an address during elections in states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu violates the Model Code of Conduct. He criticized the Election Commission, stating that no action would be taken despite the violation, as it has allegedly become biased towards the Bharatiya Janata Party. Gehlot’s remarks have injected a new political angle into the national discourse on women’s reservation, caste census, and delimitation, with the Congress leadership escalating its critique of the government.
