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Congress Credits Rajiv Gandhi for Women's Quota, Opposes Delimitation

Congress leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh asserted that the initiative for women's reservation belongs to his party, crediting former PM Rajiv Gandhi for securing 33% quota in panchayats. He opposed the Centre's current delimitation process while urging swift passage of the women's bill. BJP MP Harsh V Shringla countered, framing the legislation as part of Prime Minister Modi's vision for women-led development and labeling opponents as anti-women. The government plans to implement the reservation by 2029, proposing an increase in Lok Sabha seats through constitutional amendments.

Key Points: Rajiv Gandhi & Women's Reservation: Congress vs BJP Claims

  • Congress claims credit for women's reservation
  • BJP ties bill to PM Modi's vision
  • Delimitation process faces opposition
  • Bill implementation targeted for 2029 elections
  • Lok Sabha seat increase proposed
3 min read

"Rajiv Gandhi worked to secure 33 per cent women's reservation in panchayats": Congress' Akhilesh Prasad Singh

Congress claims Rajiv Gandhi pioneered 33% women's quota in panchayats, opposes delimitation. BJP says it's Modi's vision for women-led development.

"Rajiv Gandhi had worked to secure 33 per cent reservation in village and district panchayats. - Akhilesh Prasad Singh"

Patna, April 16

Congress leader Akhilesh Prasad Singh on Thursday said that the initiative to provide 33 per cent reservation for women belongs to Congress.

He said that it was former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi whose efforts made women's quota in village and district panchayats possible.

He, however, opposed the Centre's move to push for delimitation.

"The women's bill should be passed as soon as possible. It was the initiative of the Congress itself. Rajiv Gandhi had worked to secure 33 per cent reservation in village and district panchayats. The Congress party has always wanted women to get reservations in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha. The way in which the delimitation is being done, it should be opposed," Singh told reporters here.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Harsh V Shringla said that the implementation of women's reservation was part of the vision of Prime Minister Modi for women-led development.

"It is the most important piece of legislation that we've had in our country for many years now. It is part of the vision of Prime Minister Modi for women-led development. If women make up half the population of our country, then there must be adequate political representation for them in our temple of democracy, which is the Parliament. The Women's Reservation Bill is incumbent on all parties to support this bill," he added.

He remarked that any party that does not support this bill is anti-women and anti-representation of women.

"Any party that does not support this bill is anti-women and anti-representation of women. The parties that have tried to do this in the past and have failed are today not happy with the fact that the BJP is taking this initiative. But all political parties must come together to push through what would become a groundbreaking legislation for our country and one that women in our country would expect to happen," Shringla said.

Earlier, the Centre approved the draft amendment bills to operationalise the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023.

The Centre has called a special sitting of Parliament from April 16 to 18.

The government is planning to implement the women's reservation ahead of the 2029 General Elections by bringing in an amendment to the 2023 Act and a constitutional amendment to delink the delimitation process from the 2027 census.

The government has proposed to increase the number of seats in the House to 850, with 815 seats proposed for the States and the remaining 35 for the Union Territories. The Lok Sabha has 543 seats at present.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Why is everything turned into a political football? Rajiv Gandhi did initiate it in panchayats, that's a fact. But if the current government is finally getting it done for Parliament, that's also progress. Can't both be acknowledged?
S
Sarah B
As someone who has worked with women's self-help groups in rural India, I can say the panchayat reservation has been transformative. Extending this to the national level is the logical next step. The delimitation issue, however, needs careful, non-partisan scrutiny.
A
Aditya G
Calling parties "anti-women" for questioning the process is not helpful. We should debate the *how* and *when* respectfully. The goal of women's representation is shared by all sensible citizens. Let's focus on making the law robust and effective.
M
Meera T
Finally! This is long overdue. My mother was a sarpanch because of that panchayat reservation. It changed our village. To see it happen in Parliament would be a dream come true. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳
V
Vikram M
Increasing Lok Sabha seats is a massive change tied to this. We need a clear, transparent explanation from the government on the delimitation formula. It shouldn't look like seat rejigging for political gain. The women's quota must be pure in intent.

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