Karnataka CM Responds to Kiren Rijiju's Challenge on Women's Reservation Bill

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has firmly responded to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's challenge regarding the Women's Reservation Bill. Emphasizing the Congress party's commitment to women's empowerment, Shivakumar stated that the bill was originally introduced by Congress. This response follows a call from Rahul Gandhi advocating for women's freedom of expression in politics. The ongoing political discourse highlights the need for unconditional support for the Women's Reservation Bill while addressing concerns over the delimitation process. Read on to discover more about this significant political exchange.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 8, 2026, 15:27 IST

Karnataka CM's Firm Stand on Women's Empowerment

On Saturday, Karnataka's Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar addressed the remarks made by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, who had challenged the Congress party regarding the Women's Reservation Bill. Shivakumar asserted that his party is committed to empowering women and that Rijiju need not worry about the state of the Congress party.

During a press conference, Shivakumar emphasized that it was the Congress party that originally introduced the Women's Reservation Bill.

He stated, "We were the ones who presented the Women's Reservation Bill... We will strengthen women further... Kiren Rijiju does not need to be concerned about the Congress party."

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Kiren Rijiju, the Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, had previously challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to support the Women's Reservation Bill unconditionally, following Gandhi's call for women's freedom of expression. This prompted Shivakumar's response.

In a video, Rahul Gandhi stated that the aim of politics in the country should be to convey that "without women's expression, our nation is incomplete and backward." Rijiju interpreted this as a positive message from the Congress party.

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In a post on X, the central minister remarked that this seems to reflect a positive message from the Congress party. He noted a clear shift in Rahul Gandhi's perspective towards women. Rijiju expressed hope that the Congress party would support the Women's Reservation Bill without conditions. While Congress and opposition parties have backed the bill, they have opposed the delimitation process aimed at increasing the number of seats in the lower house of Parliament. The opposition has called for separating women's reservation from the delimitation process.