NDA Leadership Condemns Congress for Opposing Women's Empowerment Bill
In a strongly worded statement on Sunday, NDA leadership led by BJP state president Dilip Saikia launched a scathing attack on Congress and other Opposition parties for their opposition to the Nari Shakti Bandan Amendment Bill, 2026 in parliament on Friday. Saikia alleged that Congress opposed the bill purely for political gain and demonstrated a complete lack of genuine intent toward women's empowerment.
Allegations of False Narratives and Political Obstruction
Criticizing Congress for its stance, Saikia accused the party of spreading what he called a "false narrative" by deliberately linking the bill to constituency delimitation. He clarified emphatically that the bill's primary objective was to ensure equitable representation by increasing the number of constituencies in accordance with Article 82 of the Constitution, thereby guaranteeing fair participation for all citizens.
Saikia alleged that Congress systematically obstructed the legislative process under various frivolous pretexts, which he said reflected the party's deep-seated apprehension toward women's political empowerment. He further accused Congress of engaging in divisive politics by raising irrelevant regional concerns and deliberately stalling the bill's passage through parliamentary procedures.
Historical Context and Accusations of Betrayal
"The Congress-led alliance has betrayed the women of this country, and they will not be forgiven," Saikia declared, adding that women across India would respond with strong resentment to what he described as a direct insult to their dignity and political aspirations.
He also criticized the conduct of opposition members in parliament, alleging that their reaction after failing to secure a two-thirds majority for the bill was "inappropriate and unbecoming" of elected representatives. "This demonstrated Congress's role as a barrier not only to women's empowerment but also to national development," he emphasized.
Referring to historical precedents, Saikia accused Congress of repeatedly opposing women's rights throughout India's political history. He specifically cited the Shah Bano case and the longstanding issue of triple talaq as examples where Congress had failed to protect women's rights. He also referenced the Emergency imposed in 1975 under then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as another example of Congress undermining democratic values, including curbing press freedom and imprisoning opposition leaders.
Contrasting Records on Women's Empowerment
Saikia argued that despite ruling India for nearly six decades, Congress had consistently failed to take substantive steps to enhance women's political participation and representation. In sharp contrast, he credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's twelve-year tenure with introducing numerous inclusive measures specifically aimed at empowering women and integrating them meaningfully into the nation's development process.
Planned Protests and Political Mobilization
In response to what he termed Congress's "anti-women policies," Saikia announced that BJP and its allies would organize a massive Mahila Aakrosh campaign in Guwahati on April 23. This protest aims to mobilize women against the perceived opposition to their political rights.
The party also plans a comprehensive series of statewide agitation programmes, including district-level press conferences, public discussions, and extensive outreach initiatives designed to engage women leaders across all sectors. These efforts will highlight what BJP alleges is Congress's systematic anti-women stance and historical opposition to gender equality measures.
Alliance Support and Broader Political Movement
Meanwhile, AGP leader Phani Bhushan Choudhury called upon women across the country to take to the streets and build a strong, sustained movement against what he described as Congress's systematic political marginalization of women. Similarly, BPF leader Charan Boro affirmed that his party would continue to work alongside BJP and AGP to secure justice and equitable representation for women through legislative means.
The political confrontation over the Nari Shakti Bandan Amendment Bill has thus escalated into a broader debate about women's political participation, with NDA allies presenting a united front against what they characterize as Congress's obstructionist tactics and historical failures regarding gender equality.
