Congress Leader Accuses BJP of Using Women's Reservation Bill for Political Gain
Senior Congress functionary and former minister Balasaheb Thorat has launched a scathing attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of using the Women's Reservation Bill as a political tool to retain power rather than genuinely empowering women. In a press conference held in Nashik on Wednesday, Thorat alleged that the Centre's real intent is not women's empowerment but altering parliamentary strength through delimitation to favor north India.
Allegations of Deliberate Confusion and Delayed Implementation
Thorat claimed that the BJP is deliberately creating confusion over the Women's Reservation Bill while simultaneously accusing the opposition of "killing democracy". He pointed out that despite the legislation being passed in 2023, it has not been operationalized yet. According to Thorat, this delay is a clear indication of the government's lack of genuine commitment to women's empowerment.
He highlighted that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured the bill would be implemented after a national census when it was passed. "Two years have passed, but there has been no census, which clearly shows the government's lack of intent," Thorat stated, emphasizing the gap between promises and action.
Concerns Over Delimitation and Regional Imbalance
Thorat alleged that under the guise of women's reservation, the BJP plans a major expansion of Lok Sabha seats that would disproportionately benefit the Hindi-speaking belt. He provided specific figures, claiming the proposed delimitation would add 131 seats in north India compared to just 44 in southern states.
This imbalance, according to Thorat, would cause serious injustice to southern states and entrench BJP's power through numerical dominance in parliament. He argued that this move undermines democratic federal balance in the name of reform, favoring regions where the BJP has stronger political support.
Political Jabs and Broader Demands
Taking a dig at Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Thorat said there is no need for a senior Congress politician to debate him on this issue. "Even ordinary women can expose the hollowness of BJP's claims and the chief minister's false confidence," he remarked, suggesting that the BJP's stance lacks substantive merit.
Thorat outlined several key demands:
- Immediate implementation of women's reservation as per the 2023 provisions
- A nationwide caste-based census to ensure proper representation
- Mandatory inclusion of OBC women within the reservation quota
He reiterated that the Congress party has never opposed women's reservation and accused the BJP of using the issue for political maneuvering rather than genuine social reform. Thorat's statements reflect ongoing political tensions over gender representation and regional balance in India's parliamentary system.
