Congress blocks women’s quota bill, denies entry into legislatures: Telangana BJP chief

The Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao criticised the Congress for obstructing the Constitution Amendment Bill on women's reservation, calling it a 'black day'. He accused the party of prioritising the Nehru family's interests over women's representation and condemned Rahul Gandhi's reported opposition citing lack of Muslim reservation.

Hyderabad: Slamming the Congress for “stalling” the Constitution Amendment Bill on women reservation, Telangana BJP president N Ramchander Rao on Friday termed it a ‘black day’, alleging that the party had denied the women their rightful representation in legislatures and Lok Sabha.

In a video release, he accused the Congress of prioritising Nehru family’s interests over broader representation.

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Referring to Rahul Gandhi’s reported remarks on lack of representation for Muslims in the bill, he said, “Rahul Gandhi ji also says he opposes the bill as there is no reservation for Muslims. This defeat of the bill is a defeat of women of the country. Congress will pay a price.”

He urged the women in Telangana to “drive away” Congress leaders for the injustice caused to them by the party.

The Telangana BJP called for protests against Congress for voting against the women reservation amendments bill.

In a major setback to the union government, a Constitution Amendment Bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 was defeated on Friday.

While 298 members voted in support of the Bill, 230 MPs voted against it. Out of 528 members who voted, the Bill required 352 votes to secure a two-thirds majority.