Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Slams Opposition Over Women's Reservation Bill
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai launched a scathing attack on opposition parties on Sunday, criticizing their stance on the Nari Shakti Vandan Bill and accusing them of disappointing women across the nation. Speaking at the BJP state headquarters in Raipur, the CM alleged that parties including the Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Trinamool Congress (TMC) opposed the landmark legislation, which he claimed impacts approximately 70 crore women in India.
Opposition Accused of Political Motives
Vishnu Deo Sai described women as symbols of dignity in Indian culture, drawing parallels to Goddess Durga to emphasize their revered status. He further accused the Congress party of following a "divide and rule" approach and claimed that opposition parties used delimitation concerns as a pretext to delay the bill due to electoral considerations. The CM warned that this stance would lead to public backlash against these parties in future elections.
Chhattisgarh's Record on Women's Representation
Highlighting his state's progressive track record, Sai noted that Chhattisgarh provides 50 percent reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj system. He revealed that women currently hold 57 percent of panchayat posts and maintain approximately 21-22 percent representation in the state assembly. The CM also cited the election of Laxmi Verma as evidence of ongoing efforts to promote women's participation in politics at all levels.
Government Initiatives for Women's Welfare
The Chief Minister pointed to several central government welfare schemes as examples of the administration's focus on women's empowerment:
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for housing
- Subsidized ration distribution programs
- Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for clean cooking fuel access
He emphasized that these initiatives demonstrate a comprehensive approach to improving women's lives across socioeconomic dimensions.
BJP Leadership Echoes Criticism
BJP national general secretary Arun Singh, who accompanied the Chief Minister during the address, reinforced the criticism against opposition parties. Singh stated that the opposition's stance on women's rights would be remembered negatively by the electorate and emphasized the BJP's commitment to gender equality through legislative measures like the Nari Shakti Vandan Bill.
The remarks come amid ongoing political debates about women's representation in Indian politics, with the Nari Shakti Vandan Bill representing a significant legislative proposal aimed at increasing women's participation in parliamentary and state legislative bodies.
