NEW DELHI, Apr 13: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday said the real issue with the government’s move to introduce bills in a special sitting of Parliament this week is delimitation, not women’s reservation, calling the reported proposal “extremely dangerous” and an “assault” on the Constitution.
Gandhi said any delimitation exercise that involves an increase in the strength of the Lok Sabha must be politically, and not merely arithmetically, equitable.
In an article published in The Hindu, she also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intention is to “delay and derail” the caste census.
She further said the Prime Minister is urging opposition parties to support bills the government wants to “bulldoze” through Parliament during a special session, when election campaigning in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal will be at its peak.
“There can be only one reason for this extraordinary hurry, which is to derive political advantage and place the Opposition on the defensive,” she alleged.
The Prime Minister is, as usual, being “economical with the truth,” Gandhi claimed.
Tagging her article, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said she has highlighted concerns over women’s reservation and the risks posed by a “rushed delimitation.”
Referring to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, Sonia Gandhi said it introduced Article 334A, mandating one-third reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies after the next Census and delimitation exercise.
She said the Opposition had not demanded such a condition, noting that Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier sought immediate implementation from the 2024 Lok Sabha polls itself.
Gandhi questioned the delay in implementation, asking why the government took nearly 30 months to bring changes and why it could not wait a few more weeks for an all-party discussion.
Opposition leaders have repeatedly requested an all-party meeting after April 29, she said, but their request was not accepted.
Instead, she alleged, the Prime Minister has used public appeals and events, reflecting a “my way or the highway” approach.
Gandhi also said the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments laid the foundation for women’s reservation in local bodies.
She further pointed out that the 2021 Census was delayed, affecting implementation of welfare schemes, including the National Food Security Act.
Gandhi noted that Census operations have only recently begun and are expected to conclude in the coming years, adding that the government’s justification for urgency is unclear.
She also said the caste census proposal has been inconsistent, alleging a change in the government’s stance over time.
Citing examples from Bihar and Telangana, she said state-level caste surveys were completed in a short time, arguing that national-level delays are not justified.
She said any delimitation must follow a proper Census and must ensure balanced political representation, particularly for smaller states.
Gandhi added that states which have successfully implemented population control measures should not be placed at a disadvantage.
She further said the Monsoon session would be an appropriate time for debate after proper consultation and discussion with all stakeholders.
“There is no justification, except narrative management during troubled times, for this haste to bulldoze far-reaching changes,” she said.
Calling delimitation “extremely dangerous” based on available information, Gandhi said the process must be transparent and democratic.
The Budget session of Parliament has been extended, and a special three-day sitting is scheduled from April 16 to 18 to consider amendments related to the Women Reservation Act.
Elections in several states, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Kerala and Puducherry, are currently underway or scheduled in phases. (Agency)
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