Opposition unity foiled BJP’s ‘hidden agenda’ on women’s quota: Shobha Oza

The Congress on Tuesday accused the BJP-led Centre of attempting to “monopolise power” through delimitation under the guise of women’s reservation, claiming that the Opposition’s united stand led to the defeat of the Delimitation Amendment Bill in Parliament.

Addressing a press conference at the Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee (DPCC) office, former All India Women’s Congress president Shobha Oza alleged that the Centre sought to implement delimitation based on the 2011 Census to serve its “hidden agenda”. She said the move was rejected in Parliament as Opposition parties voted en bloc against it.

Oza said that while the Women’s Reservation Bill, passed in September 2023 as the Nari Shakti Vandana Act, had received Congress support in both Houses and Presidential assent, its implementation was linked to a future census and delimitation exercise. She claimed that the government had earlier indicated a 2021 caste census would form the basis for seat reservation for women.

“The BJP government’s conspiracy to use delimitation in the name of women’s reservation has been exposed. Congress has always stood for protecting democracy, the Constitution, and women’s empowerment,” Oza said.

Targeting the ruling party, she alleged that its ideological predecessors had historically denied women leadership roles and accused the Centre of delaying implementation of the reservation law for “political gains”. She also cited past Congress initiatives, including the 1989 move under Rajiv Gandhi and its rollout during the tenure of Narasimha Rao, which ensured 33% reservation for women in Panchayats and urban local bodies.

Oza further noted that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had previously written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill.

Demanding immediate implementation, she said one-third reservation for women should be enforced in the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats, along with a sub-quota for OBC women. She also called for greater accountability on women’s safety, accusing the BJP of shielding individuals accused in high-profile cases.

Former Delhi minister Narendra Nath said the Bill’s failure to secure a majority in Parliament reflected the government’s “anti-women stance” and criticised its reliance on outdated population data. He demanded that delimitation be carried out based on a caste census and implemented ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Delhi Pradesh Mahila Congress president Pushpa Singh reiterated that the Congress had “laid the foundation” for women’s reservation through Panchayati Raj institutions. She said the party would continue its agitation “from the streets to Parliament” under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge until women’s reservation is implemented.

Other leaders present at the press conference included former AICC secretary C.P. Mittal and DPCC communications vice-chairman Anuj Attrey.