‘It Wasn’t About Women’s Reservation, But Delimitation’: Priyanka Gandhi Hits Back at BJP

New Delhi: The government failed to pass the amendment bill related to women’s reservation. The day after the bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha, parliamentary proceedings were adjourned sine die (indefinitely). The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—which leads the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA)—has launched an offensive against the Congress and the opposition INDIA bloc, labeling them “anti-women.” BJP leaders are describing this as a “black day,” and protests are taking place across the country.

Amidst all this, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi held a press conference demanding the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill that was unanimously passed in 2023. She asserted that the bill in question was not a genuine women’s reservation bill; rather, it was a bill concerning delimitation. She argued that its focus was not on women’s reservation, but on the process of delimitation. Priyanka Gandhi remarked, “We were all wondering: what is the rush? Why are they introducing this bill in such haste?” She expressed surprise at the sudden convening of the parliamentary session. She further stated, “Elections are underway in five states, and voting is yet to be completed in two of them. They want power by any means necessary.”