Women’s Reservation Bill: Ashok Gehlot questions urgency amid elections

Jaipur, April 15 (IANS) Senior Congress leader and former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday questioned the Central Government over its approach to the proposed Women’s Reservation legislation, raising concerns about both the timing and process of its introduction. 

Gehlot reiterated that the Congress party has consistently supported women’s reservation.

“The Congress party has always supported women's reservation. Taking the initiative for women's reservation, Sonia Gandhi had ensured the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill through the Rajya Sabha during the UPA government's tenure," he said.

However, he expressed apprehension over what he described as the “hasty manner” in which the NDA government is preparing to introduce the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill in the name of women’s reservation.

Questioning the urgency, Gehlot asked whether introducing such a significant measure in the midst of elections amounts to a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. "After all, what kind of emergency necessitates such haste right in the midst of elections? Does this not constitute a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct?" Gehlot questioned.

He further pointed out that with a new Census exercise underway, conducting delimitation based on outdated 2011 data would be unfair to both democracy and new voters.

According to him, such a move risks creating an unnecessary divide between northern and southern states. The Congress leader also criticised the Centre for not convening an all-party meeting on the issue.

He said that holding separate consultations with opposition parties, instead of engaging in a collective dialogue, undermines the spirit of cooperative federalism. He termed it inappropriate to take such a crucial decision without taking all stakeholders, including states, into confidence.

Gehlot alleged that unilateral decision-making and ignoring opposition voices have become a pattern under the present government.

Emphasising democratic principles, he stated that governance should be driven by consensus rather than arbitrary decisions. He urged the Central Government to hold comprehensive consultations with all political parties and stakeholders before proceeding further on the matter.

--IANS

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