Khattar Asserts Opposition to Bear Brunt of Women's Reservation Bill Failure
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar declared on Sunday that the inability to advance the women's reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha represents a significant setback not for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), but rather for opposition parties, who he warned must prepare to face severe consequences. Speaking at a press conference titled ‘Mahila Jan Aakrosh’ in Jalandhar, which was part of a nationwide campaign, Khattar emphasized that the opposition's resistance to the legislation has positioned it as a major liability for them.
Opposition Actions Labeled as "Pain in the Neck"
During the event, Khattar was questioned about whether the bill's defeat in Parliament was an embarrassment for the BJP. He responded firmly, stating, "The problem is not for us but for the opposition parties. They opposed the bill, and it could cause damage to them. Women are aware. Now, it has become gale ki haddi (pain in the neck) for them. They will have to pay the cost and face the consequences." He further claimed that the BJP had anticipated support from opposition parties, adding, "We never knew that they would oppose the bill."
Defending BJP's Record on Women Representation
When confronted with criticism from opposition parties regarding the BJP's lower percentage of women Members of Parliament compared to other parties, Khattar argued that the dynamics change when seats are reserved. He explained, "When the competition is between men and women, they participate and behave differently. When the seats are reserved for women, all the parties would be forced to give the tickets to women only at the reserved seats." Asked why the BJP does not voluntarily allocate more seats to women, he dismissed the comparison, quipping, "This is not the way to compare it."
Call to Action for Women Voters
Joining Khattar at the press conference, Uttar Pradesh Minister Baby Rani Maurya urged women voters to hold opposition parties accountable. She called upon them to "elect the party that stood by them and promoted their interest," effectively encouraging a lesson to be taught through the ballot box. The event also saw the presence of senior Punjab BJP leaders, including Manoranjan Kalia and K D Bhandari, underscoring the party's focus on women's issues in the region.
This development highlights ongoing political tensions over gender representation in India, with the BJP positioning itself as a champion of women's rights while shifting blame onto opposition forces for legislative hurdles.
