New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi chose his Independence Day address Saturday to give a strong indication of of his govt’s intent to revive the Constitution amendment bill to implement one-third reservation for women in Lok Sabha and assemblies, with a 50% jump in their overall strength from 2029, urging all political parties to ensure that it was rolled out as soon as possible.While it was widely speculated in political circles that govt was keen to revive the bill, which was defeated by the opposition in April, Modi put on record that the matter was on the agenda, boosting the prospect of Parliament being summoned as early as next month.“Today, standing here beneath the shadow of the Tricolour on the ramparts of Red Fort, I pray to and urge all political parties to acknowledge the power of women. Let’s step forward to uphold their dignity and ensure our mothers and sisters get 33% representation in assemblies and Lok Sabha as soon as possible,” he said.What has enhanced the likelihood of the bill being passed is the defection of 20 Lok Sabha MPs from Trinamool Congress and six from Sena UBT to NDA and DMK’s assiduous efforts, visible in the recently concluded session, to keep away from the opposition’s ranks after Congress ditched it in Tamil Nadu to ally with Vijay-led TVK. NCP SP is being seen as another potential support.Congress accused Modi of making a “dishonest pitch” for women’s reservation in his address, saying ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ was unanimously passed in Sept 2023, but BJP govt’s “double standards” and “hypocrisy” had made sure it didn’t come into effect from 2024.
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Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, said the party had stood firm on its stand to implement women’s reservation from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections by retaining the current strength of 543 seats in LS.Modi said women served as public representatives in large numbers in panchayats to municipalities and municipal corporations, referring to their salience in local bodies on the back of reservation.Despite several efforts to reserve seats in Lok Sabha and assemblies, the idea had fallen victim to political battles for over 40 years, he said.He called it the need of the hour and told parties to join the cause. “You also take the credit, you also take the fame, but give rights to my mothers and sisters,” he said, reiterating the pitch he had made before the failed bid last time.The monsoon session has not been prorogued, keeping open the possibility of govt summoning Parliament.
