Rahul Gandhi criticised the Constitution amendment bill in Lok Sabha, alleging it aims to change India’s electoral map by reducing representation of southern and smaller states, and called the move anti-national while demanding implementation of the 2023 Women’s Reservation Act
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the Lok Sabha strength will rise to 815, with 272 seats reserved for women. He assured that no state or group will lose out and urged all parties to support the women’s quota bill
The NDA lacks the required two-thirds majority in Parliament to pass the women’s reservation bills, making Opposition support or abstentions crucial. The numbers in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha indicate a tight situation for the government
Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured Lok Sabha that the delimitation process before implementing the women’s quota will not discriminate against any state. He urged political unity, warned against politicisation, and stressed timely implementation of women’s reservation for stronger democracy
The government may bring an amendment to the Women Reservation Act during the ongoing Budget session to implement the 33 per cent quota in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies before the delimitation exercise, subject to Cabinet approval and Parliament support
