Congress Leader Vijay Wadettiwar Dismisses PM Modi's Women's Reservation Address as 'Crocodile Tears'
In a sharp critique, Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Sunday labeled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's April 18 address on the Women's Reservation Bill as "crocodile tears," questioning the ruling party's genuine commitment to women's empowerment. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Wadettiwar challenged the BJP's stance by asking whether a woman could ever lead the RSS, the ideological fountainhead of the party.
Allegations of Deception and Delaying Tactics
Wadettiwar, the Bramhapuri MLA, accused the BJP of deceptive practices regarding women's reservation. He stated, "The party that nurtures Manuvadi ideology and follows Manu Smriti is fooling people on women's reservation." He highlighted that while the bill was passed in 2023 with cross-party support, the BJP is now using the delimitation process as a pretext to delay its implementation.
He further alleged that the BJP is exploiting the constitutional amendment to redraw constituencies to serve its own electoral interests, rather than genuinely advancing women's representation.
Criticism of BJP's Track Record and Historical Context
Wadettiwar dismissed PM Modi's address as hollow, pointing to what he called hypocrisy. "Those were crocodile tears. Around 20 BJP netas face allegations of crimes against women, yet no action has been taken against them," he remarked. He invoked the Congress party's historical achievements, noting that it gave India its first woman Prime Minister, President, and Lok Sabha Speaker.
He also questioned who opposed women's reservation during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, implying a contrast in commitment. As evidence of the BJP's alleged real agenda, he cited Assam, where he claimed the state government has already redrawn constituency boundaries under the guise of delimitation to favor its political interests.
Government's Response and Counterclaims
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule countered Wadettiwar's charges, asserting that the government's intention on women's reservation is clear and unambiguous—to increase the number of women in elected positions. He dismissed the opposition's allegations as politically motivated, emphasizing the BJP's dedication to women's empowerment through legislative measures.
The debate underscores ongoing political tensions over the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives on sincerity and action.
