The Congress on Saturday reiterated that its position on the immediate implementation of women’s reservation in legislatures has remained unchanged, while accusing the Modi government of repeatedly shifting its stance and attempting to introduce “insidious” changes to the country’s political framework.
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said the party, in its Nyay Patra manifesto for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, had criticised what it called the government’s “linking” of delimitation with women’s reservation, and had committed to immediate implementation of the quota.
“Our stand has been consistent — in September 2023, June 2024, and now April 2026,” Ramesh said in a post on X.
He further alleged that the government had “consistently flip-flopped” on the issue, with its approach marked by what he described as indifference to women’s representation and an intent to push broader changes to the polity under the guise of reform.
Sharing excerpts from the Congress manifesto, Ramesh said the party had described the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act as a “betrayal of women,” alleging that its provisions delayed the operationalisation of the 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies beyond 2029.
The manifesto had also pledged to remove what it termed “objectionable provisions” and implement the reservation immediately, including in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures elected after the next round of elections.
Speaking to reporters, Jairam Ramesh also questioned the government over the absence of written proposals for discussion during an all-party meeting on the issue, and asked why consultations had not been formally structured.
He further criticised the timing of the notification of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, passed in September 2023, and alleged inconsistencies in the government’s approach to the caste census.
Jairam Ramesh said the government had earlier delayed details on the exercise despite announcing it, adding that there was still a lack of clarity on its scope and implementation.
His remarks came a day after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, aimed at implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures by 2029 and increasing the size of the Lok Sabha, was defeated in the Lower House.
The bill, which sought to expand Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 following delimitation based on the 2011 Census and adjust state and Union Territory assemblies accordingly, failed to secure the required two-thirds majority. While 298 MPs voted in favour, 230 opposed it, falling short of the 352 votes needed.
The three-day special parliamentary session on the bill concluded on April 18.
(With inputs from PTI)