NEW DELHI, April 18: The Congress on Saturday accused the Centre of attempting to alter the federal structure under the guise of women’s reservation, saying the defeat of the Constitution amendment bill in the Lok Sabha was a “victory for democracy” and alleging that the government has “consistently flip-flopped” on the issue.
The party reiterated its support for the immediate implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, and claimed the proposed changes were linked to delimitation for political gains.
Addressing a press conference here, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra alleged that the sole aim behind bringing the Constitution amendment bill was to remain in power permanently, adding that people could see through the government’s intentions.
“What happened yesterday was a very significant victory for democracy. The government’s conspiracy to alter the federal structure and weaken democracy was defeated and stopped,” she said.
“It was a victory for the Constitution, the country and the unity of the opposition. This was clearly visible on the faces of leaders from the ruling side,” she told reporters.
She claimed the government intended to use the bill for its benefit in the 2029 general elections. “This was not about the women’s reservation but related to delimitation,” she said.
Reacting to the government calling it a “black day” after the bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha — the first time a constitutional amendment brought by the Modi government has not passed in Parliament — Gandhi demanded the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023.“The Modi government has received its first jolt and, therefore, it is calling it a ‘Black Day’. This jolt was very necessary,” she asserted. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also said the defeat of the Constitution amendment bill was not merely a political setback for the BJP but a rejection of its intentions.He alleged that the ruling party used women’s reservation as a cover to pursue a larger design of changing the Constitution and dismantling reservations for Dalits and tribals. (PTI)
