Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta criticized the Congress and its allies for defeating the women’s reservation bill, expressing disappointment over their celebration of women’s loss as a victory for democracy. Speaking at a press conference, CM Gupta questioned whether democracy could truly succeed at the expense of women, highlighting how these parties had previously used women for votes but failed to support their rightful representation.
Gupta endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assertion that the Congress impedes progress, citing their historical opposition to reforms such as ‘Operation Sindoor’, digital payments, GST, CAA, Article 370, and one nation, one poll. She lamented the decades-long blockage of the women’s quota bill in Parliament, emphasizing the need for women’s empowerment in politics.
The Chief Minister revealed that the government introduced the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ amendment bill with hopes of bipartisan support, reminiscent of 2023. However, the Opposition’s objections, including concerns over regional disparities and implementation logistics, exposed their anti-women stance. Gupta criticized the shifting positions of Opposition parties, who previously supported the bill’s linkage with delimitation but now oppose the process.
Accusing the Congress of appeasement, Gupta condemned their resistance to issues like triple talaq and the Shah Bano case, which challenged a pro-women court ruling. She suggested that the fear of common women challenging dynastic female leaders within these parties drives the opposition to women’s reservation, highlighting underlying power dynamics in Indian politics.
