Kharge targets BJP over women’s reservation bill in poll-bound Chhattisgarh

The women’s reservation bill is a “jumla” (empty promise) and will not be implemented till 2034, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said.

Updated on: Sep 29, 2023, 07:16:19 IST

By Ritesh Mishra, Raipur

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The women’s reservation bill is a “jumla” (empty promise) and will not be implemented till 2034, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday said, as he accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre of “misleading” the people on the legislation.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Balodabazar-Bhatapara district of Chhattisgarh on Thursday. (PTI)

The Congress leader was addressing a “Krishak-sah-Shramik Sammelan” (farmers-cum-labourers convention) of the Chhattisgarh government in Sumabhata village in Balodabazar-Bhatapara district when he made the remarks. The state is scheduled to go to the polls this year.

“The women’s reservation bill was passed recently. It is not a new one as (former prime minister) Rajiv Gandhi ji had brought 73rd and 74th amendments and ensured reservation to women in panchayat bodies,” he said.

“When Rajiv Gandhi brought 33% reservation (bill in Parliament), the BJP had opposed it. In one House, we got a majority (in favour of the bill) but in another, the BJP opposed it and the bill was defeated,” he added.

The same BJP is now thumping its chest and taking credit for the legislation, Kharge said. “When are they going to implement it (bill)? They themselves say it will not happen in 2024 and that it will be implemented after Census and delimitation in 2029. This means it will be implemented in 2034. They (ruling BJP) just want to mislead the people,” he said.

On September 21, Parliament approved the 106th amendment to the Constitution to reserve a third of the seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures for women, a landmark endorsement of a decades-long crusade that was unsuccessful on at least six occasions over nearly three decades. The bill will now require President Droupadi Murmu’s signature and at least 50% of the states to approve the amendment to the Constitution.

Kharge said the bill is a “jumla as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will never provide reservation to women”. “This is just a slogan for elections. Like the Prime Minister’s promise of jobs to 10 crore people which was never fulfilled… the women’s reservation will also turn out to be just a phrase,” he said.

“… they (BJP) think they can make promises, people will vote and then forget,” he added.

The Congress leader also pitched for a census of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), saying it will provide detailed information for implementation of welfare schemes.

The BJP dismissed Kharge’s remarks on the bill. “If the bill is a jumla, then why did they support it in Parliament? The Congress also misleads people and shows double-standards,” party spokesperson Sacchinand Upasane said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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