In a fiery address from Siliguri on April 19, BJP’s national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari accused the Congress party of harboring an anti-women and anti-development ideology. Backing PM Narendra Modi’s push for greater female representation, Bhandari declared that voters across India have seen through Congress’s regressive approach.
Time and again, Congress has stood against reforms essential for national progress, Bhandari observed. Be it women’s empowerment drives or landmark legislations, the party has a history of obstructionism. Its reluctance on women’s reservation bills exemplifies this negative attitude.
When in government, Congress dragged its feet on boosting women’s roles in politics, offering little beyond rhetoric. True advancements in this area have only materialized under Modi’s tenure, Bhandari stressed.
At its core, Congress thrives on family-centric politics that hampers development, he claimed. By opposing the rise of women from marginalized sections in legislatures, Congress aims to protect its old guard. Empowerment of women threatens their status quo, not aids it.
West Bengal BJP hopeful Saurav Sikdar joined the critique, slamming TMC’s governance. Mamata Banerjee’s administration has faced flak for lapses in women’s security, especially after the Lok Sabha’s dismissal of the women’s reservation bill.
This development raises alarms for women’s long-term political prospects, Sikdar said. Failing to back such measures could deny upcoming generations equal footing in public life, he added, calling for unified action.
