In a pointed rebuttal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s letter, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge has rejected overtures for cooperation on the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ without prior consultations. Demanding an all-party meeting after the conclusion of state polls on April 29, Kharge criticized the government’s secretive approach to delimitation.
The special session of Parliament, slated to begin on April 16, focuses on implementing the women’s reservation bill passed with consensus in September 2023. Kharge recalled Congress’s push for instant enactment, contrasting it with the government’s inaction over the subsequent period. ‘Despite your letter citing agreement on urgency, no steps were taken,’ he noted.
Accusing the administration of bypassing opposition input, Kharge pointed out the lack of shared information on delimitation—a prerequisite for the bill’s activation. ‘Meaningful deliberation is untenable without these details,’ his response read.
Kharge dismissed claims of consultations as inaccurate, reiterating opposition’s call for a post-poll all-party forum to deliberate proposed constitutional changes. He argued that summoning the session amid elections betrays motives of electoral gain over women’s true empowerment.
Referencing historical missteps including note ban, GST implementation, stalled census, and fiscal commission recommendations, Kharge underscored eroded confidence in governance. ‘Constitutional shifts demand inclusive dialogue involving all parties and states, regardless of size,’ he asserted.
Urging a democratic path forward, Kharge advised holding the all-party meet post-April 29 to address delimitation tied to the women’s bill. This development signals escalating tensions, as political stakeholders brace for high-stakes parliamentary proceedings with far-reaching implications for representation.
