Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has urged the central government to schedule an all party meeting on the women reservation bill after the completion of the ongoing election process. In a communication addressed to the government led by Narendra Modi, Kharge stated that opposition leaders are currently engaged in election campaigns and are unable to attend discussions at this stage.
The development comes after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju invited Kharge for a meeting to deliberate on proposed amendments to the women reservation legislation. In response, Kharge indicated that while the opposition is open to discussions, the timing of the meeting should be reconsidered in view of the ongoing electoral commitments.
Kharge emphasised that holding discussions after the conclusion of polling would allow all parties to participate meaningfully. He suggested that an all party meeting be convened after April 29, when voting for the current elections is expected to conclude. According to him, such a timeline would ensure a more comprehensive and inclusive dialogue on the issue.
For the first time since discussions on amendments to the women reservation bill began, Kharge also indicated the opposition willingness to facilitate the implementation of 33 percent reservation for women in legislative bodies from the 2029 general elections. This statement is being seen as a significant development in the ongoing debate around the legislation.
The government, on its part, is reported to have conveyed that it is considering separating the issues of Census and delimitation from the implementation of the reservation policy. This move is expected to simplify the process and potentially accelerate the rollout of the policy. However, detailed discussions on these aspects are yet to take place.
The women reservation bill, also known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, was passed earlier with the aim of increasing representation of women in Parliament and state assemblies. The legislation has been a subject of political debate, particularly regarding the timeline and mechanism for its implementation.
Political analysts note that the issue has gained renewed attention in the context of upcoming elections. Both the government and opposition parties have expressed support for the principle of women representation, but differences remain over procedural aspects and implementation timelines.
Kharge remarks underline the importance of consensus building in matters related to constitutional amendments. He stressed that constructive dialogue among political parties is essential to ensure that such significant reforms are implemented effectively.
The issue is expected to remain a key topic in political discussions in the coming weeks. Once the elections conclude, further deliberations are likely to take place to determine the way forward on the women reservation policy.