Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju exchanged sharp words on Saturday over the women’s reservation law. The dispute comes as Parliament remains deadlocked over the government’s plan to link the law with delimitation.
Rijiju Calls for Support
Rijiju shared a video of Rahul Gandhi speaking about greater freedom of expression for women. He said Rahul’s remarks showed a “visible change of heart”.
The Parliamentary Affairs Minister urged the Congress to support the women’s reservation law without conditions.
Rahul Gandhi Hits Back
Rahul Gandhi responded within hours. He said the Congress had already supported the women’s reservation law in 2023.
He questioned why the law had not been implemented and why the government now wanted to connect it with delimitation.
Rahul demanded that the government implement the 2023 law without linking it to other conditions.
Why Delimitation Is a Key Issue
The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam provides 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, its implementation was linked to a future census and delimitation process.
The government now wants to use the 2011 Census to allow the reservation to take effect before the 2029 Lok Sabha election.
The proposed delimitation could increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850. Around 273 seats could then be reserved for women.
Opposition parties have raised concerns about the impact of population-based delimitation on southern states.
Talks Continue
Rijiju met Rahul Gandhi on August 5 to seek support for the Constitution Amendment Bill and the amended FCRA Bill. He also contacted Rahul by phone on August 6.
Rahul is understood to have said that the Congress would discuss the issue with its INDIA bloc partners.
With about a week left in the Monsoon session, the government faces a tough challenge in securing opposition support.