The Punjab Congress expressed apprehensions about the delimitation of Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies, cautioning that it could diminish Punjab’s share and favor states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The party also criticized the BJP government for hindering the Women’s Reservation Bill and shifting blame onto the Opposition.
State party president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, along with other Congress leaders, highlighted the details and objectives of the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill that was recently presented and defeated in Parliament. They clarified that it was the Delimitation Bill, not the Women’s Reservation Bill, that faced defeat in Parliament.
The Congress leaders emphasized that the BJP’s attempt to introduce the Delimitation Bill under the guise of the Women’s Reservation Bill was misleading. They underscored the historical significance of the 33% reservation for women in local bodies introduced by Rajiv Gandhi in 1989, which substantially increased female representation.
The party leaders defended their opposition to the amendment Bill, asserting that its passage would have paved the way for delimitation, disadvantaging states like Punjab and Tamil Nadu while favoring states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. They pointed out the potential disproportionate impact on states like Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and West Bengal, highlighting the BJP’s strategic intentions.
The Congress leaders also criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s foreign trips, characterizing them as disguised vacation breaks rather than genuine efforts to attract investments for the state.
