Aizawl: Former Mizoram minister Zodintluanga Ralte on Saturday said the BJP government has revealed its true colours by linking the long-overdue implementation of women's reservation to the delimitation exercise. He stated that the BJP has used the aspirations of India's women as a tactical shield for a sinister agenda.
Ralte's Statement on Delimitation and Women's Reservation
In a statement, Ralte condemned what he called the NDA government's deceptive delimitation tactics under the guise of women's reservation. He said, "This is not about women's empowerment; it is a calculated attempt at political gerrymandering. The BJP is attempting to redraw the political map of India to suit its own electoral arithmetic, potentially disenfranchising millions and tilting the scales permanently in its favour. To hold women's rights hostage to a future delimitation process is a blatant betrayal of the mandate of the people."
Background of the Issue
The Women's Reservation Bill, which seeks to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, was passed in 2023 but its implementation has been linked to the next delimitation exercise. Critics argue that this linkage delays the empowerment of women and allows the ruling party to manipulate electoral boundaries for political gain.
Political Reactions
Ralte, a former minister in the Congress-led government in Mizoram, has been vocal against the BJP's policies. His remarks come amid growing concerns from opposition parties that the delimitation process could be used to redraw constituencies in a way that benefits the BJP.
The BJP has defended its stance, stating that the delimitation is necessary to ensure fair representation based on population changes. However, opposition leaders have accused the party of using women's reservation as a pretext to push its political agenda.
