Kharge Accuses Centre of Rushing Women’s Quota Rollout for Political Gain
Congress chief questions timing of special Parliament session and seeks clarity on delimitation plans
Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the central government of trying to fast track the implementation of the women’s reservation law for political advantage, especially with several state elections underway.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kharge raised concerns over the sudden decision to convene a special session of Parliament starting April 16. He argued that holding such a session during an active election period creates the impression that the move is politically motivated rather than focused on genuine empowerment of women.
Kharge pointed out that the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 was passed unanimously in September 2023, and at the time, the Congress had pushed for its immediate implementation. However, he questioned why the government delayed action for over two years and is now moving ahead without consulting opposition parties.
He also expressed disappointment over the lack of transparency regarding the proposed delimitation process, which is expected to be linked with the implementation of the law. According to Kharge, without clear details on how constituencies will be redrawn, meaningful discussion on the issue is not possible.
The Congress president further alleged that the government’s claim of engaging with political parties on the matter does not reflect reality. He said opposition parties have consistently demanded an all party meeting after the ongoing elections conclude on April 29, so that all stakeholders can discuss the implications of the proposed constitutional amendments.
Kharge emphasized that changes of this scale would impact both the central and state governments, making it essential to involve all political parties in the decision making process. He urged the prime minister to call a comprehensive meeting after the elections to ensure a fair and inclusive discussion.
The exchange comes just days before a three day special sitting of Parliament, where the government is expected to introduce measures to operationalize the women’s reservation law ahead of the 2029 general elections. Reports suggest that the exercise may also involve increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, with a significant portion reserved for women.
The Indian National Congress has already criticized the proposed delimitation exercise, calling it unconstitutional and warning that it could have serious long term consequences if not carefully debated.
Meanwhile, the party is preparing to coordinate with other opposition groups, with a meeting of senior leaders likely around April 15 to plan a joint approach for the upcoming Parliament session.