Bhopal, April 15 Senior Congress MLA and former Leader of Opposition in Madhya Pradesh, Ajay Singh, on Wednesday questioned the timing and implementation framework of the Women’s Reservation Bill, alleging that the BJP-led Centre is using the issue for political gains rather than ensuring immediate empowerment of women.
Throwing his weight behind Sonia Gandhi, Singh said her recent intervention has brought out “serious gaps” in what is being described as a landmark reform.
He argued that while the government is showcasing the law as historic, the conditions attached to its rollout raise concerns about intent.
“The way this has been structured clearly shows that the BJP is more interested in headlines than in actual empowerment. Making women wait for years is unjustifiable,” Singh said.
The legislation, officially titled the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, was passed during a special session of Parliament in September 2023. It provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
However, its implementation is tied to the next census and a delimitation exercise, conditions that critics say could delay its enforcement by several years, Singh said while talking to media persons in Bhopal on Wednesday.
Singh pointed out that the Congress had demonstrated its commitment to women’s reservation earlier, recalling the passage of the Bill in the Rajya Sabha in 2010 under the United Progressive Alliance government. He alleged that the BJP, which had opposed the move then, is now “repurposing” the issue without ensuring timely delivery.
He also raised concerns about the broader political implications of linking the reservation with delimitation. According to Singh, such a move could alter the balance of political representation across regions.
“Linking reservation with delimitation is not a neutral administrative step; it has political consequences. It risks creating imbalances and raising questions about fairness, especially for states that have performed well on population control,” he said.
Singh further alleged that the Centre’s approach is influenced by ongoing and upcoming elections. “There is visible urgency in announcements, but no clarity on execution. If the intent was genuine, the government would have ensured immediate implementation,” he added.
Reaffirming his support for Sonia Gandhi, Singh said the demand is simple: remove procedural roadblocks and operationalise the quota without delay.
He warned that prolonged inaction could turn the issue into a major political flashpoint, particularly among women voters who are expecting tangible change.
--IANS
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