In a show of bipartisan support for legislation establishing quotas for women in Parliament and state assemblies, several opposition MPs addressed the issue in both Houses just hours before the Cabinet meeting on Monday.
Congress president and Leader of the Opposition, , expressed the desire for the Women’s Reservation Bill to be passed, emphasizing the importance of giving women their rightful representation.
He called on the government to introduce the Bill, noting the significant increase in female MPs since the first Lok Sabha, but highlighting the current low percentages in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.
Kharge mentioned previous efforts to pass a women’s reservation law and suggested that if Chairman were to address the issue, the government would respond accordingly.
Following the Cabinet meeting, Congress communication head Jairam Ramesh welcomed the reported decision to implement women’s reservation, urging transparency and consensus-building in future discussions.
In Lok Sabha, NCP’s emphasized the need for gender equality in political representation, urging the Prime Minister to take the lead in implementing reservation for women.
She recalled past attempts by the UPA government to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill, expressing regret over the lack of necessary support at the time.
TMC member Sudip Bandyopadhyay called for the swift passage of the women’s reservation Bill, suggesting that it be a positive start for the new Parliament building.
SAD’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal highlighted the importance of women’s representation in addressing gender-related issues, calling for the immediate passage of the reservation Bill.
TRS member Nama Nageswara Rao also supported the women’s reservation Bill, along with the OBC reservation Bill, emphasizing the need for diverse representation in Parliament.
LJP (Ram Vilas) chief echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the empowerment that the passage of the Bill would provide to female MPs.
Several opposition parties, including , RJD, JMM, and JD(U), expressed support for a quota-within-quota for OBCs and minorities, with a focus on unity within the alliance.
JD(U) senior leader K C Tyagi emphasized the socialist support for women’s reservation while also advocating for representation of SC, ST, and backward castes.
SP sources indicated a preference for compulsory party quotas for women over reserved seats, suggesting a quota within the women’s quota for SC, OBC, and minorities for comprehensive empowerment.
