Party’s Mahila Morcha stages demonstration in state capital
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, April 25: The Meghalaya unit of the BJP Mahila Morcha, led by its North Shillong wing, staged a sit-in protest at Khyndai Lad on Saturday to demand 33 per cent reservation for women in elected bodies.
During the demonstration, protesters held placards and raised slogans calling for the implementation of the reservation in both legislative and local governance institutions.
The members argued that increased representation is essential for inclusive decision-making and the empowerment of women across the state.
Speaking to reporters, Arena Hynniewta of the BJP Mahila Morcha criticised the Congress party, alleging that it had previously blocked the passage of the reservation bill in Parliament.
She stated that while women are central to the social fabric of Meghalaya, their participation in formal politics remains limited.
The leaders urged policymakers to take immediate steps to address the long-pending demand, asserting that a formal quota is necessary to bridge the current gap in political representation.
On Friday, State Congress president Vincent H Pala had accused the BJP of attempting to mislead the public over the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies.
Pala had alleged that the BJP’s “main objective” is to push the proposed Delimitation Bill alongside the women’s reservation legislation.
“It is foolish of the BJP to say such things, especially in Meghalaya, where people are aware. The women’s reservation bill was approved in 2023. Bringing it again in this session is a way to mislead people and introduce delimitation,” Pala said.
He had also made it clear that the Congress was not opposed to women’s reservation but objected to the timing and linkage with delimitation. “They are bringing both bills together, which raises concerns,” he said.
Recently, a Constitution Amendment Bill to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures in 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816 was defeated in the Parliament, with the ruling dispensation asserting that the struggle to give the rights to women will continue.
While 298 members had voted in support of the bill in Lok Sabha, 230 MPs voted against it. Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes for a two-third majority.
According to the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased to 816 from the current 543 to “operationalise” the women’s reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.
Seats were also to be increased in state and union territory assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
