DK Shivakumar on Sunday slammed the BJP-led Centre over the timing and handling of the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill, alleging that the opposition was not taken into confidence.
The Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister reiterated that while the Congress has consistently supported women’s reservation, it objected to the way the Bill was introduced without adequate consultation.
"This is democracy; this is not a Hitler-style rule. They cannot bring it in the middle of elections and try to alter the entire constituencies," Shivakumar told reporters.
Calling for broader democratic engagement, he said, "They have to take everyone into confidence, but they have not done that. That is why the opposition parties have done a very good job. So, it is a victory of the INDIA alliance."
The remarks come after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposed 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 and an increase in Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816, was defeated in the Lok Sabha. The Bill secured 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the required two-thirds majority.
The proposal aimed to operationalise women’s reservation following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census, including expansion of seats in state and Union Territory assemblies.
Responding to criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party that Congress is anti-women, Shivakumar said, "This is not anyone's personal property-women are the nation's asset. We had passed this in the Rajya Sabha and Congress has already given 50 per cent reservation to women in local bodies. Even today, we support it."
He further alleged that the proposed changes could affect regional balance. "Without consulting us, they are trying to redraw constituencies, giving more weight to North India and reducing representation in South India. No one can tolerate this."
Shivakumar added that leaders including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, along with several South Indian Chief Ministers, have opposed the move, describing the Bill’s defeat as a “major victory for democracy.”
He reaffirmed that Congress and the INDIA bloc remain committed to advancing women’s rights.