The Congress party has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to convene an all-party meeting to address the women's reservation issue. The demand comes amid growing political discussions on the Women's Reservation Bill, which seeks to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women.
Congress's Appeal for Consensus
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi wrote to PM Modi, stressing the importance of building a consensus on the bill. She highlighted that the bill has been pending for decades and requires bipartisan support to become law. The party believes that an all-party meeting would facilitate dialogue and expedite the legislative process.
Historical Context
The Women's Reservation Bill was first introduced in 1996 and has faced numerous hurdles. While it was passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010, it lapsed in the Lok Sabha. The Congress argues that the current government should prioritize this bill to ensure gender equality in political representation.
Several women's rights organizations and political figures have echoed the Congress's call, emphasizing that women's reservation is crucial for inclusive governance. The BJP-led government has not yet responded to the request.
The Congress's move is seen as an attempt to push the agenda ahead of the upcoming general elections. Political analysts suggest that the issue could become a key campaign plank if the government fails to act.
