Bengaluru, Apr 11 (PTI) Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje on Saturday lashed out at the Congress, accusing it of viewing the national progress through a narrow “election lens”.
The attack comes after the Congress criticised the BJP-led Centre’s move to amend the women’s reservation law and its timing.
Appealing to political parties to accept the bill amending the Women’s Reservation Act, she urged them to nominate women from diverse professional fields.
The Union Cabinet recently cleared the draft bill for the amendments to the law, Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, more commonly known as the Women’s Reservation Act, that will ensure an increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 with 273 reserved for women, and its implementation in the 2029 general elections.
The government has extended the budget session of Parliament and a special three-day sitting will be held from April 16 to 18, where the amendment bill is expected to be passed.
The Congress on Friday accused the Narendra Modi government of “indulging in politics” in the name of women’s reservation law and asserted that the proposed delimitation exercise linked to it was “unconstitutional” and could have “grave consequences” that warranted thorough deliberation after the ongoing assembly polls.
AICC President Mallkarjun Kharge has said the Modi government is convening the sitting of Parliament from April 16 with the sole intention of securing political advantage, which is a “violation” of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), and is keen to pass the constitutional amendment Bill in “utmost haste”.
West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are slated to go for polls later this month.
Addressing reporters, Karandlaje said, “Congress sees everything through the election lens. I don’t think that Parliament debating the women’s reservation bill will affect the state elections. Mallikarjun Kharge should clarify whether he was opposed to this bill or discussing it now.” Questioning the stand of the Congress party on the women’s reservation issue, she said, “There was a discussion on women’s reservation during the previous UPA rule… only crocodile tears were shed for the issue, and they opposed it a few times. For them, a woman now means only Priyanka Gandhi. They don’t want other women to come (into politics).” She alleged, “They (Congress) don’t want ordinary women to come to Parliament except the likes of Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. They will have to change their mentality otherwise today’s women won’t accept.” The Minister claimed that this bill was shelved during the UPA’s 10-year tenure.
After becoming the PM, Narendra Modi emphasised on women’s empowerment in all fields, she added.
Praising the PM for bringing the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, BJP Mahila Morcha State President C Manjula said Mahila Morcha will organise women’s conferences in all districts in this regard.
A signature campaign will be held in support of the Bill, starting Sunday in K R Puram under the leadership of Shobha Karandlaje.
“It will be held across the state. We are doing a missed call campaign to support the bill. Also, press conferences will be held at the division level. Bike and scooty rallies will be organized by Yuva Morcha,” she added. PTI KSU ROH
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