NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday delivered a sharp critique of the government in the Lok Sabha during a debate on the women’s reservation law and the delimitation bill, warning that the proposed changes represent an “open attack” on democracy.Participating in a debate on three bills related to amendments in the women’s reservation law and the setting up of a delimitation commission, she said the core issue was being diverted. “In 2023, when this law was passed, the Congress supported it and today also, the Congress is strongly in support of women’s reservation. But the truth is that the debate is not on women’s reservation. The bill that the government has brought has changed the direction of the debate,” she said.She questioned why the government could not implement 33 per cent reservation for women within the current 543 Lok Sabha seats. Referring to the proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats to as many as 850 based on the 2011 Census, she said it carried deeper implications. “This seems fine on the surface but the real meaning comes to the fore when one carefully reads it. It smells of politics,” she said.“The government began finishing off democracy by putting pressure on institutions, such as the Election Commission, the judiciary, the media etc., but now, an open attack on democracy is being launched,” Priyanka Gandhi said. She added that if the Constitution amendment bill is passed, democracy in India would be finished.Reaffirming her party’s position, she said, “There should be no doubt that the Indian National Congress stands firmly in favor of women’s protection and reservation, and will continue to do so.” She also criticized the PM’s remarks on the issue. “Prime Minister’s remarks today suggested that the BJP have been the champions, proponents, and biggest supporters of women’s reservation. This was the theme throughout his speech, even while claiming he didn’t want any credit for it.”She further said, “Any woman would tell you that women easily recognize those who try to mislead them,” and urged the BJP to be careful.Providing historical context, she said the issue of women’s reservation has long roots. She noted that the foundation was laid by Motilal Nehru and later advanced by Congress governments. She said that under former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi, a bill for reservation in panchayats and municipalities was introduced, and was later passed during the tenure of PV Narasimha Rao.She added that during the UPA government led by Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi, the women’s reservation bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha but could not secure consensus in the Lok Sabha. She also mentioned that Rahul Gandhi had written to PM Modi in 2018 urging implementation.Priyanka Gandhi also raised concerns about the representation of the OBC community, alleging delays since 2011 had led to injustice. She claimed PM Modi avoided fully addressing the issue in his speech and accused the BJP of previously opposing such measures.The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, along with the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, was introduced in the Lok Sabha following a division of votes.
