NEW DELHI, Apr 16: In a light-hearted exchange, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday told Home Minister Amit Shah that if Chanakya were alive today, he would have been surprised by the BJP leader\u2019s \u201cpolitical shrewdness\u201d.<\/p>\n
Speaking during a debate in the Lok Sabha on three bills related to amendments in the women\u2019s quota law and the formation of a delimitation commission, Priyanka Gandhi accused the government of attempting to \u201cmislead\u201d the public and launching what she called an \u201cattack on the country\u2019s democratic framework\u201d.<\/p>\n
She said that while there is much discussion on women\u2019s reservation, the rights of OBCs are being undermined. According to her, a system is being created for upcoming elections by reducing the influence of smaller states and weakening democratic structures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Home Minister is smiling\u2026 he has designed the entire plan. If Chanakya were alive, he would have been surprised by your political shrewdness (\u2018rajnaitik kutilta\u2019). He has made the plan and is now smiling, which means he agrees with me,\u201d she remarked.<\/p>\n
Priyanka Gandhi further alleged that the government brought the bills in a hurried manner during the parliamentary session, without proper consultation or all-party discussion, and shared drafts only shortly before the debate, limiting opposition scrutiny.<\/p>\n
She also claimed that a narrative was built in the media projecting the Prime Minister as taking a major step for women\u2019s empowerment, placing the opposition in a difficult position.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is one thing to be politically strategic, but another to take decisions in the national interest while setting aside the desire to remain in power,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she added that the BJP often portrays itself as the sole champion of women\u2019s reservation, but in reality, women are capable of recognising attempts at misdirection.<\/p>\n
Providing historical context, the Congress MP said the party has consistently supported women\u2019s representation in legislatures. She referred to the 2023 passage of the Women\u2019s Reservation Bill, stating that Congress backed it in line with its ideology.<\/p>\n
She also highlighted contributions from the Nehru-Gandhi era, saying that Motilal Nehru\u2019s 1928 report and the 1931 Karachi session under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel laid early foundations for fundamental rights and gender equality in India.<\/p>\n
She added that the principle of \u201cOne Vote, One Citizen, One Value\u201d ensured women\u2019s voting rights from the beginning of independence, unlike many countries where women had to wait decades for suffrage. (Agencies)<\/p>\n\n