Raipur: The Chhattisgarh assembly on Thursday witnessed a sharp political exchange as chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai moved a resolution seeking immediate implementation of 33 percent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies after the delimitation process.
Special Session Convened After Bill Defeat
The one-day special session was convened days after a Constitution Amendment Bill on women's reservation was defeated in the Lok Sabha on April 17. The bill, which also proposed increasing Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850 post-delimitation, fell short of the required two-thirds majority, securing 298 votes in favour and 230 against.
CM Sai's Stance on Women's Reservation
Presenting the resolution, CM Sai stressed that reserving one-third seats for women is vital for their dignity, empowerment, and development, and should be enforced without delay once delimitation is completed.
Opposition's Objections
The session turned contentious when Leader of Opposition (LOP) Charan Das Mahant objected, saying he had submitted a similar proposal calling for immediate reservation within the current strength of legislatures. Speaker Raman Singh rejected Mahant's proposal as a non-official resolution, triggering protests from Congress members.
Senior BJP MLA Ajay Chandrakar countered that the House alone determines its agenda, leading to a brief war of words between treasury and opposition benches. The Speaker later urged members to use the allotted time for constructive discussion.
Broader Political Context
The development follows a similar resolution passed in Madhya Pradesh, where Congress legislators staged a walkout. The session, attended by over 500 women representatives from local bodies, was projected by the government as a symbolic push for greater political participation of women. Congress leaders, however, argued that women's reservation should be implemented only after the Census and accused the government of politicising the issue.
Reactions from Legislators
MLA Anila Bhediya termed the bill an "electoral rattle," noting delays despite its earlier passage. "Women are aware of their rights," she said. Deputy chief minister Arun Sao accused Congress of failing to deliver on its promises for women's empowerment. "With what face are they speaking about women's rights today?" he said.
The debate also highlighted competing claims over women's representation, with both BJP and Congress citing their respective numbers of women legislators. The session ultimately turned into a broader political face-off over commitment to women's rights.
