Modi flays state governor over women's reservation

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Monday criticised Governor Kamla Beniwal for not signing a legislation reserving 50% of all seats in local bodies to women.

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi on Monday criticised Governor Kamla Beniwal for not signing a legislation reserving 50% of all seats in local bodies to women.

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Modi was asked by a member of the FICCI's women wing to detail what he would do regarding women's reservation in governance "when you come to the centre", a remark that led to vigorous clapping.

Modi said the Gujarat assembly had passed a legislation reserving 50% of all seats for women in panchayat, nagar panchayat, nagar palika, mahanagar palika and zila panchayat.

"But we could not implement it because our governor has withheld her signature," he said. "It is our misfortune that the bill is stuck although we have a woman governor."