Congress politicians on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of pushing a "fake narrative" on women's welfare and demanded the immediate implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. They alleged that the BJP was using the Women's Reservation Bill as a political tool alongside the delimitation exercise.
Congress Leaders Address Media in Kolhapur
Addressing the media at the District Congress Committee office in Kolhapur, Congress Legislature Party leader MLC Satej Patil and MLA Vishwajeet Kadam stated that the BJP lacked the intent to empower women. They questioned why the women's reservation, announced in 2023, was not implemented in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, claiming that timely implementation would have resulted in at least 180 women Members of Parliament.
Congress's Stance on Women's Reservation
Kadam said that Congress has consistently supported women's reservation and accused the BJP of politicising the issue. He recalled that former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had proposed 33% reservation for women in panchayat raj institutions in 1989, which the BJP had opposed at that time.
Concerns Over Delimitation
Raising concerns over the delimitation process, Kadam asked for clarity on its criteria and warned that it would distort regional representation. He said the number of Lok Sabha seats could rise from 543 to 850 after delimitation, reducing the representation of southern states from 24% to 20%, while increasing the share of northern states from 28% to 31%. "This is an attempt to push the country towards dictatorship," he alleged.
Satej Patil said that states which successfully implemented population control policies would face injustice under the proposed delimitation. He added that an increase in the number of MPs would also increase constituency funds, disproportionately benefiting certain states. Patil said Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had written to the ruling party ten days ago seeking a discussion on delimitation, alleging that the government deliberately linked it with the Women's Reservation Bill to shift focus.
Response on Uddhav Thackeray's Candidacy
Responding to a query on whether Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray would contest the Legislative Council elections, Patil said Congress had no objection if Thackeray was the candidate. He said the Maha Vikas Aghadi would hold discussions if any other name was proposed, noting the upcoming Rajya Sabha as well as teachers' and graduates' constituency elections in Pune and Vidarbha.
