Politics – Congress Questions Government’s Shift on Women’s Reservation Rollout

Politics –  The Congress party on Wednesday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of reversing his earlier stance on the implementation of the women’s reservation law. The opposition alleged that the government now intends to enforce the policy without first completing key processes such as delimitation and the national census, which were earlier described as essential prerequisites.

Concerns Over Sudden Policy Shift

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the prime minister appears ready to convene a special two-day parliamentary session within the coming weeks to pass amendments required for implementing the law. He argued that this move contradicts the government’s earlier position, where it had maintained that reservation could only be enforced after fresh delimitation and census exercises.

According to Ramesh, this apparent shift raises serious questions about policy consistency and intent. He also pointed out that when the bill was originally debated in 2023, the Congress had pushed for immediate implementation starting with the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. At that time, the government had rejected the demand, citing procedural limitations.

Allegations of Political Diversion

The Congress further alleged that the renewed push for the legislation is aimed at diverting attention from pressing national issues. Ramesh described the move as an attempt to shift public focus away from challenges related to foreign policy and rising energy costs, including concerns over LPG prices.

He stated that similar strategies have been used in the past to influence public discourse and claimed that the timing of the announcement appears politically motivated.

Demand for Wider Consultation

Opposition parties have called for an all-party meeting before any amendments are introduced. They have suggested that discussions should take place after the ongoing round of state assembly elections concludes in late April. The objective, they say, is to ensure transparency and consensus on any proposed changes to the law.

Ramesh also highlighted reports suggesting that the government is considering increasing the size of the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies by as much as 50 percent. He emphasized that such a significant structural change would require detailed debate and careful planning.

Questions Around Legislative Process

The Congress leader also raised concerns about the timing of a potential special session, noting that it could conflict with the Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct during the election period. He argued that holding such a session may undermine established norms governing electoral fairness.

In addition, he questioned the government’s commitment to conducting a caste census, which had been announced in 2025. He noted that earlier demands for such a survey were dismissed, making the current position appear inconsistent.

Uncertainty Over Immediate Action

Government sources, however, indicated that there is no immediate plan to introduce a bill increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats or modifying the existing law in the current session. While discussions have taken place with some political parties, consultations with key opposition groups are reportedly still pending.

There is also speculation that the ongoing Budget session of Parliament may end earlier than scheduled, though it may not be formally concluded. This would allow the government to reconvene the same session at a later date if needed.

Background of the Law

The women’s reservation law, passed in 2023, provides for 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, including seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. However, its implementation was tied to the completion of delimitation, which involves redrawing constituency boundaries based on population data.

Current proposals suggest that the number of Lok Sabha seats could rise from 543 to 816, with a significant portion allocated for women. Similar adjustments are expected at the state level, with proportional reservations.

If approved, the revised framework is expected to come into effect by March 2029, potentially influencing future general and state elections.