NewKerala.com

Women Voters May Back 2029 Quota Promises If Parliament Fails: Kiren Bedi

Former IPS officer and ex-Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Kiren Bedi, has stated that if Parliament fails to pass the Women's Reservation Bill, women voters may decisively shift their support to those who commit to ensuring one-third representation by 2029. The government has introduced bills to amend the women's reservation law and establish a delimitation commission, with a vote scheduled. Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal explained the plan involves a 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats to 815, with 272 reserved for women. However, the Opposition, including Congress MP Manish Tewari, supports the quota in principle but alleges the current bill is delimitation legislation "dressed up" as the Women's Reservation Bill.

Key Points: Kiren Bedi Warns Women Voters May Decide 2029 Over Quota Bill

  • Bill links women's quota to delimitation
  • Lok Sabha seats to increase by 50% to 815
  • 272 seats would be reserved for women
  • Opposition raises concerns over delimitation impact
3 min read

If Parliament misses, women voters may decisively back those who committed for 2029, says Kiren Bedi

Former LG Kiren Bedi says if Women's Reservation Bill fails, women voters may decisively back parties committing to 2029 implementation. Key vote today.

"If Parliament misses passing the #WomensQuotaBill, women voters may decisively back those who commit to ensuring one-third representation in the 2029 Parliament - Kiren Bedi"

New Delhi, April 17

Former IPS officer and ex-Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry, Kiran Bedi, on Friday said that if Parliament fails to pass the Women's Reservation Bill, women voters may decisively support those who commit to ensuring one-third representation in the 2029 Parliament and State Assemblies. She emphasised that women are now demanding a genuine role in governance and policymaking.

Taking to social media platform X, Bedi wrote, "If Parliament misses passing the #WomensQuotaBill, women voters may decisively back those who commit to ensuring one-third representation in the 2029 Parliament and State Assemblies."

She further stated, "It's now clear - women are a decisive electoral force. Symbolic appeasement won't suffice. They seek a real seat at the table and a direct role in shaping India's future."

Meanwhile, voting in the Lok Sabha on three key bills aimed at amending the women's reservation law and establishing a delimitation commission is scheduled to take place on Friday.

The introduction of the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to enable women's reservation and facilitate delimitation, was approved in the Lok Sabha on Thursday following a division of votes.

Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said that Lok Sabha seats across all states would be increased by 50 per cent as part of the exercise to implement the women's quota along with the delimitation process.

If the Bill is passed, the number of seats in several states will rise significantly. Uttar Pradesh is expected to have 120 seats, Tamil Nadu 59, West Bengal 63, Kerala 30, and Gujarat 39.

Opening the discussion in the Lok Sabha, Meghwal said, "The Women's Reservation Bill was passed in 2023, providing for implementation of its provisions based on the census after 2026 and subsequent delimitation. There will be a 50 per cent increase in the strength of Lok Sabha members, taking the total to 815 seats, of which 272 will be reserved for women, amounting to one-third of the House. There will be no loss to male MPs or any state, and all will retain their strength."

However, the Opposition has expressed reservations over the delimitation aspect while supporting the Women's Reservation Bill in principle. Congress MP Manish Tewari alleged on Thursday that the proposed delimitation exercise is being "dressed up" as the Women's Reservation Bill.

He argued that if delimitation is carried out in the proposed manner, several states may lose their political influence in the Lok Sabha. "This is delimitation legislation which has been presented as the Women's Reservation Bill," Tewari said.

He further pointed out that the Women's Reservation Bill had already been passed in 2023, with its implementation linked to the first census conducted after 2023, followed by delimitation.

Questioning the BJP-led Central government, Tewari said that while it had earlier referred to a post-2023 census, it now appears to have reverted to using the 2011 census data.

According to him, "The Bill nowhere states that the number of seats will be increased by 50 per cent."

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
While I support women's reservation, the opposition has a point about the delimitation being mixed into this. It feels like a major political restructuring is being pushed through under the banner of women's empowerment. We need clarity on both issues separately.
S
Sarah B
As an observer, it's fascinating to see Indian women voters becoming such a powerful, organized bloc. This could be a watershed moment for gender parity in politics globally.
A
Aditya G
The 50% increase in Lok Sabha seats is the real story here. 815 MPs? The logistics and cost will be massive. Is this the best use of resources? We need a debate on the size of Parliament itself, not just who sits in it.
M
Meera T
Finally! A real seat at the table. For too long, policies affecting women and families have been made without our direct input. This is about good governance, not just equality. More women in Parliament will lead to better laws for everyone.
V
Vikram M
The concern about states losing political influence is valid. Southern states have controlled population growth better and might get fewer seats per capita. The principle of 'one citizen, one vote' value must be protected in any delimitation.
K
Kavya N
It's 2024. We should have had this decades

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50