New Delhi:; Battle lines were drawn between the government and the opposition on Tuesday over the women’s quota and delimitation bills to be taken up during the special Parliament sitting this week, with the Congress questioning the intent behind the move and the BJP accusing it of failing women in the past.
In a letter to the women of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that Indian democracy will become stronger and more vibrant if elections to the Lok Sabha and the various assemblies in 2029 are held with women’s quota fully in place.
Modi said that when women become active participants in policy and decision-making, the journey towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’ is strengthened.
Meanwhile, two prominent non-BJP chief ministers from the south — DMK’s M K Stalin (Tamil Nadu) and Congress’ A Revanth Reddy (Telangana) — sharpened their attack on the Centre over the issue of delimitation, with the Tamil Nadu CM warning of “massive agitation” if the state was harmed and his Telangana counterpart flagging “injustice”.
Reddy wrote an open letter to Modi, urging him to convene an all-party meeting to deliberate on the proposed delimitation, alleging that an increase in Lok Sabha seats based on pro rata, without considering economic contribution, would lead to a distortion in the country’s federal balance.
The pro rata model will not be acceptable to people and governments of southern states, and any attempt to proceed without addressing their concerns will inevitably lead to widespread opposition and resistance, as it touches upon the fundamental principle of fair representation, Reddy said.
Therefore, a collective solution that is both just and sustainable must be found, he said.
Reddy also wrote to his counterparts from Andhra Pradesh (Chandrababu Naidu), Karnataka (Siddaramaiah), Kerala (Pinarayi Vijayan), Puducherry (N Rangasamy) and Tamil Nadu, calling for collective engagement among southern states to ensure that their concerns are articulated effectively at the national level.
In a video message, Stalin warned of massive agitations that would bring Tamil Nadu to a standstill and “protests with full force” if anything was done to harm the state or if the political power of northern states was disproportionately increased in delimitation.
Lok Sabha seats will be increased to up to 850 from the current 543 to “operationalise” the women’s reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise to be carried out based on the last published census.
According to the draft Constitution amendment bill, which will be introduced in Parliament, seats would also be increased in state and Union territory assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
As the government circulated among MPs bills related to the women’s quota law and delimitation, the Congress said that when the intent behind a bill is mischievous, the damage to parliamentary democracy is enormous.
In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, “When the intent behind a Bill is mischievous, and the content of it is devious, the extent of damage to parliamentary democracy is enormous.”
The ruling NDA also closed ranks and rallied behind the prime minister, pitching the move for early implementation of the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ as a “historic step”.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena said it would pave the way for the implementation of women’s reservation in legislatures and mark a “golden chapter” in Indian democracy.
In a letter to the prime minister, Shinde said the initiative is not merely a legislative reform, but a transformative step towards ensuring the decisive participation of women in governance and nation-building.
The move reflects Modi’s unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and women’s empowerment, further strengthening the foundation of our inclusive democracy, he said.
The Andhra Pradesh chief minister urged political parties in the state and all Parliamentarians to extend support to the amendments to the Women’s Reservation Act in Parliament.
Naidu called for strengthening the prime minister’s resolve to provide one-third reservation for women in Parliament and the Vidhan Sabhas.
Union minister Raksha Khadse termed the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ a historic step towards ensuring greater participation of women in legislative bodies and strengthening India’s democratic framework.
Addressing a press conference, Khadse said the legislation is not merely about increasing representation but also about enhancing women’s role in decision-making and stressed that the government is moving towards an early implementation of the Act, for which a special session of Parliament will be convened from April 16 to 18.
“This is one of the most historic decisions in India’s democracy, taken under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government as a decisive step for all women in the country.
“Today, women are already representing themselves in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. With this reservation, 33 per cent seats will be reserved for women in the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas. This is not just about increasing seats, but also about ensuring a strong role for women in the decision-making process,” Khadse said.
BJP leader Shazia Ilmi targeted the Congress, alleging that it had failed women in the past and should now support the legislation.
The Budget Session of Parliament has been extended, and a special three-day sitting of the House has been convened, during which amendments to the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, more commonly known as the Women Reservation Act, will be brought for its implementation in 2029.
