Congress MP Criticizes Government's Approach to Women's Reservation and Redistricting
Concerns Over Women's Reservation and Redistricting
On Thursday, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi accused the central government of using the implementation of women's reservation as a cover to carry out the redistricting process. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, he emphasized that while Congress has consistently supported women's reservation, it is crucial for the government to separate this from the redistricting process. Gogoi pointed out that three years ago, the Union Home Minister made similar statements to those made today by the Union Law Minister, claiming that women's reservation is historic and unprecedented. He reiterated that Congress stands by women's reservation but urged the government to simplify the process for immediate implementation once passed.
Call for Immediate Implementation
Gogoi further stated that the reservation should not be linked to redistricting and should be based on the current number of Lok Sabha seats. He urged the government not to enforce women's reservation forcefully and instead to present a straightforward bill. He criticized the government for obstructing the implementation of women's reservation, asserting that if the government had listened to their concerns in 2023, the reservation could have been in effect by 2024. He insisted that women's reservation should not be tied to redistricting, warning that if it is, Congress would certainly support it, as the bill appears to be more about redistricting than women's reservation.
Allegations of Delaying Tactics
Gogoi mentioned that the Home Minister had assured in 2023 that there would be a census, redistricting, and the implementation of women's reservation. Now, he noted, the government is stating that there will be a census and redistricting. He claimed that it seems the government is intentionally delaying the implementation of women's reservation. The Congress MP reiterated that women's reservation should not be linked with redistricting and should be applied to the existing 543 seats by 2029. He argued that this bill is not genuinely about women's reservation but rather a political maneuver to facilitate redistricting behind the scenes.
Political Manipulation of Redistricting
Gogoi asserted that if the government truly supported women's reservation, it would have been implemented immediately. He alleged that the government was compelled to conduct a caste census. He questioned how the government decided to increase the number of Lok Sabha members to 815. Gogoi accused the government of intending to use redistricting as a political weapon, stating that the founding fathers of the nation did not establish redistricting for political manipulation, yet this government is employing it for low-level political gains.