PM Modi Urges Congress to Support Women's Reservation Bill Amendments

Modi Calls for Unity on Women's Reservation Bill

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged the Congress party to fully support the proposed amendments to the Women's Reservation Bill, which is set to be discussed during a special parliamentary session at the end of this month. Speaking at a rally in Dibrugarh, Assam, Modi emphasized the need for the opposition to refrain from politicizing this important issue. The special session of Parliament is scheduled for April 16, 17, and 18, where the implementation of one-third reservation for women in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections will be a key topic of discussion. Modi expressed hope that this decision would receive unanimous approval.

Criticizing Congress for the delays in advancing the women's reservation agenda, he noted that the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, which provides 33% reservation for women in both Parliament and the Assam Assembly, was passed during the tenure of the BJP-led NDA government. According to Modi, this amendment will ensure that at least 33% of Lok Sabha MPs are women by the 2029 elections. He urged Congress to avoid political maneuvering and instead lend their full support to achieve a consensus in favor of women.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh recently claimed that holding the parliamentary session on April 16, 17, and 18 violates the model code of conduct. He pointed out that the government initially planned to implement the Women's Reservation Bill based on new census data for the 2034 elections, while Congress advocates for an earlier implementation. Ramesh also proposed convening an all-party meeting on April 29, after the assembly elections conclude. Currently, there are 543 seats in the Lok Sabha, and the proposed increase of 50% would raise the total to 816, with approximately one-third, or 273 seats, reserved for women.

Sources indicate that a bill amending the existing Women's Reservation Act will be introduced alongside the delimitation bill in Parliament. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has also called for support from all parties for the government's legislative agenda. He stated that empowering women is our commitment, and we should unite for women's empowerment rather than engage in politics.