Sharp Exchanges in Parliament Over Women's Reservation Bill
In a heated session of Parliament on Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi engaged in a war of words during the debate on the women's reservation bill. The confrontation was marked by personal jabs and political barbs, with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's earlier remarks serving as a focal point for the exchange.
Rahul Gandhi Praises Sister Priyanka
Rahul Gandhi, while addressing the Lok Sabha, lauded his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, stating, "Yesterday I saw my sister achieve something in five minutes that I have not been able to do in 20 years of my political career." He clarified that this achievement was about "making Union home minister Amit Shah smile," referencing Priyanka's veiled swipe at Shah from the previous day.
On Thursday, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had made a pointed comment in the House, suggesting that the BJP's political strategy was so sharp that even the ancient strategist Chanakya would be surprised. This remark prompted a visible smile from Amit Shah, which Rahul highlighted in his speech.
Amit Shah's Retort to Rahul Gandhi
Responding later in the debate, Amit Shah targeted Rahul Gandhi directly, saying, "He should learn from his sister Priyanka how to speak in Parliament." This was in reaction to Rahul's earlier 'magician' remark directed at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Rahul Gandhi had accused the Prime Minister of being a "magician of Balakot, demonetisation, Sindoor," and claimed that "everybody knows there is a partnership between the magician and the businessman." His comments drew strong protests from government MPs, escalating tensions in the House.
Women's Reservation Bill Fails to Pass
Amidst the political sparring, the constitutional amendment bill for women's reservation failed to secure the required two-thirds majority on Friday. Out of 528 members who voted, 298 supported the bill, while 230 opposed it. The legislation needed 352 votes to pass as a constitutional amendment, highlighting the challenges in achieving consensus on this significant issue.
The debate underscored the deep political divisions in Parliament, with personal attacks overshadowing substantive discussion on the bill's merits. The failure of the bill marks a setback for efforts to enhance women's representation in Indian politics, leaving the issue unresolved for future sessions.
