NEW DELHI — Congress leader and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has called on the Centre to immediately reintroduce the earlier version of the Women’s Reservation Bill following the failure of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill to pass in the Lok Sabha.
Reacting to the development in Delhi, Priyanka Gandhi said that the government should bring back the original women’s reservation bill that had previously received support from all political parties. She urged the Centre to convene Parliament again at the earliest opportunity and reintroduce the legislation without delay.
“They should bring the old women’s bill immediately on Monday. Hold Parliament on Monday, bring the bill, and let’s see who is anti-woman. We will all vote and support you,” she stated, signaling the opposition’s willingness to back a consensus-driven proposal.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tensions following the failure of the recent bill, which sought to combine women’s reservation with delimitation. Opposition parties have argued that linking reservation with delimitation complicated the process and prevented broader agreement, despite general support for increasing women’s representation.
Priyanka Gandhi emphasized that there is no disagreement among parties on the principle of women’s empowerment, and that a straightforward version of the bill—similar to the one previously passed with cross-party support—should be brought forward to ensure swift implementation.
She also suggested that the outcome of the recent vote has raised questions about the government’s approach, adding that a simpler and more widely accepted version of the legislation could have ensured its passage.
The Women’s Reservation Bill aims to provide 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, a reform that has been under discussion for decades. While there is broad political agreement on the need for such a measure, disagreements over its structure and implementation have delayed its enactment.
Political observers note that Priyanka Gandhi’s statement reflects an attempt by the opposition to position itself as supportive of women’s reservation while criticising the government’s strategy in handling the bill.
The debate over the legislation is expected to continue, with both the ruling alliance and opposition parties under pressure to demonstrate their commitment to women’s empowerment.
Priyanka Gandhi’s call for reintroducing the earlier version of the bill underscores the demand for consensus and urgency in advancing a long-pending reform aimed at enhancing women’s participation in India’s democratic institutions.
