Rajya Sabha MP and former National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson, Rekha Sharma, criticized Opposition parties, especially the Samajwadi Party, for obstructing the Women’s Reservation Bill historically. She accused the Congress of not pushing through the Bill during the United Progressive Alliance’s tenure.
Sharma highlighted that despite being in power for a decade, the Congress-led UPA failed to ensure the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill due to internal disagreements. She pointed out opposition from leaders like Mulayam Singh Yadav and Lalu Prasad Yadav within their own alliance.
While the Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010, it faced hurdles in the Lok Sabha because of political disagreements and lack of unified support within the ruling alliance at that time. Sharma criticized the current stance of the Opposition, stating that the Congress is now hesitant and under pressure to support the legislation due to public demand, especially from women voters.
Sharma also criticized Akhilesh Yadav for diverting focus by demanding a caste census before the Women’s Reservation Bill. She emphasized that such tactics by Opposition parties prioritize political positioning over substantive reforms, hindering women’s representation in politics.
Reiterating her support for the Bill, Sharma commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his efforts to advance the reform aimed at enhancing women’s participation in legislative bodies. She stressed that increasing women’s involvement in politics would lead to better governance and address long-standing systemic gaps.
