The Congress party has escalated its criticism against the BJP-led Centre regarding the Women’s Reservation Bill and the proposed delimitation exercise. Congress spokesperson Surendra Rajput condemned the delay in implementing the Women’s Reservation Bill, highlighting the BJP’s alleged anti-women stance. He emphasized that despite the unanimous passage of the bill in 2023, the BJP failed to implement it in subsequent elections, revealing their purported disregard for women’s representation.
In a separate statement, Congress leader Rakesh Sinha expressed reservations about the government’s unilateral approach to delimitation, stressing the necessity for broader consultations before enacting such a significant reform. Sinha criticized the lack of inclusive discussions or engagement with stakeholders, labeling the government’s actions as arrogant and emphasizing the importance of consensus-building in such matters.
The ongoing criticism coincides with the Centre’s plans to introduce substantial constitutional changes during the upcoming Special Session of Parliament on April 16 and 17. The proposed Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty First Amendment) Bill, 2026 aims to enhance the Lok Sabha’s strength and amend Article 82, which governs constituency readjustments post each Census. These changes are crucial for the long-pending implementation of 33% reservation for women in parliamentary and state assembly seats, a provision outlined in the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023.
The impending reforms have sparked a wave of political reactions, with various parties voicing concerns about the timing, execution, and representation aspects of the proposed amendments. The upcoming parliamentary session is expected to witness heated debates and discussions on these contentious issues.
