Delhi, India
Former Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani on Saturday criticised opposition parties while speaking about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming address to the nation, linking it to the ongoing debate over the Women’s Reservation Bill and recent developments in Parliament.
Speaking in Delhi, Smriti Irani said that the Prime Minister, in his address, is expected to speak about the functioning of Parliament and the government’s position on key legislative issues, including women’s representation.
She indicated that the address would provide clarity on the government’s stance and recent parliamentary developments.
Irani referred to the events of 2010, when the Women’s Reservation Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha during the tenure of the Congress-led government. She noted that despite being in the opposition at the time, the BJP had supported the bill to ensure its passage.
She said that the BJP had backed the proposal in 2010, demonstrating its long-standing support for women’s reservation.
Criticising opposition parties, Irani alleged that groups such as the Indian National Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and All India Trinamool Congress spread misinformation regarding the recent bill. She claimed that these parties raised concerns that southern states would lose equality in representation, which she described as misleading.
She asserted that such claims were aimed at creating confusion among the public and blocking the bill.
Irani further alleged that the Congress party has never genuinely supported the idea of 33 percent reservation for women, whether in power or in opposition.
She claimed that Congress has consistently opposed women’s reservation, despite public statements to the contrary.
The remarks come amid heightened political tensions following the failure of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in Parliament, which has triggered sharp exchanges between the ruling alliance and opposition parties.
While the BJP has projected itself as a strong advocate of women’s reservation, opposition leaders have maintained that they support the concept but have raised concerns about certain provisions, including issues related to delimitation and implementation.
Irani’s comments reflect the BJP’s broader narrative, positioning the opposition as obstructing a key reform aimed at empowering women.
It is important to note that these statements are part of ongoing political discourse, and opposition parties have presented differing accounts of their role in the evolution of the Women’s Reservation Bill.
With the Prime Minister’s address expected to touch upon these issues, political attention remains focused on how the government will frame its position and respond to the ongoing controversy.
