Congress Declines Government Meeting on Women's Reservation Bill Amendments
In a firm rebuff to the Centre's latest overture, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday wrote to the Modi government stating that the opposition is "extremely busy" with assembly election campaigns. He reiterated the demand for an all-party meeting only after April 29, when voting concludes for the ongoing polls.
Government's Proposal and Opposition's Response
Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju had written to Kharge seeking a meeting to discuss potential amendments to the women's reservation bill. In his response, Kharge criticized the government for being in a "great hurry" to amend a Constitutional amendment Act 30 months after its initial passage, urging patience until the election period ends.
"We are all extremely busy with the election campaign. That is the reason why we had suggested that the meeting be held after the campaign is over," Kharge emphasized in his letter. He assured that this delay would not impact the implementation of the amended Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, from the 2029 Lok Sabha election onwards.
Key Developments and Demands
For the first time since discussions on amending the quota bill began, Kharge has indicated the opposition's readiness to facilitate the implementation of 33% women's reservation in legislatures starting from 2029. Simultaneously, the government has formally communicated to Kharge its intention to delink Census and delimitation processes from the women's quota matter.
Earlier this week, the opposition INDIA bloc, excluding the Trinamool Congress (TMC), had written to the government advocating for an all-party brainstorming session on amending the landmark bill. They insisted that the government circulate its proposal of amendments in advance to ensure a more productive discussion.
Historical Context and Previous Rejections
Kharge has previously rejected two separate requests from the government for a Congress-only meeting, instead urging discussions with the entire opposition camp. In his latest communication, he recalled, "On Sept 21, 2023, during debate in Rajya Sabha, I had myself demanded the immediate implementation of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, but the govt had not agreed with my demand."
This ongoing dialogue highlights the political tensions surrounding the women's reservation bill, with both sides positioning themselves ahead of critical electoral phases. The opposition's focus remains squarely on the current election campaigns, while the government pushes for legislative progress on this significant social reform.
