Congress MP KC Venugopal stated that the Opposition has steadfastly supported women’s reservation while accusing the government of attempting to combine this issue with the delimitation discussions in the Lok Sabha regarding the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill. Venugopal explained that the core objection from the Opposition is the perceived effort to merge two distinct topics.

During his comments, Venugopal remarked, “Their agenda to link delimitation with women’s reservation failed yesterday. Women’s reservation never failed. Their agenda to link delimitation with women’s reservation failed.” He contended that this effort to intermingle the subjects undermines the integrity of women’s reservation.

Moreover, Venugopal alleged that the government’s motives behind delimitation were selective and politically influenced. He asserted that the government aims to carry out delimitation based on its conveniences, specifically mentioning Assam and Jammu-Kashmir, suggesting the alteration of entire constituencies to serve its interests.

Concerns Over Legislative Commitments and Guarantees

Venugopal emphasised that significant constitutional promises require a formal legislative commitment. He questioned the discussions surrounding the proposed “50 per cent formula,” asking where a definitive guarantee had been provided. “If the guarantee was there, they could have come with an official amendment of the government. Why not that?” he further queried.

He reiterated the Opposition’s call for the immediate implementation of women’s reservation aligned with the existing strength of 543 members in the Lok Sabha. Venugopal maintained that their stance is not against women’s reservation but against what he termed the procedural and structural linkage of the bill with delimitation and related issues.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot voiced similar concerns, labelling the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill a “political move” and a “well-thought-out conspiracy” orchestrated by the government. Gehlot shared his view that the actions taken by Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah misled the public, suggesting the conditions were deliberately crafted to prevent the amendment’s passage.

Reactions from the Opposition and Outcome of the Vote

Criticising the urgent timeline surrounding the Bill, Gehlot questioned the necessity of rushing the process, indicating that discussions with state leaders could have occurred prior. He expressed that the Prime Minister should have engaged directly with the Chief Ministers, advocating for an all-party meeting for open dialogue.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP John Brittas also condemned the Centre’s handling of the issue, alleging that the government was misleading the public regarding women’s reservation. He remarked on the unity among the opposition parties, suggesting that this collaboration effectively thwarted the government’s efforts to advance its agenda.

Following extensive debates, the BJP-led government was unable to secure the two-thirds majority needed in the Lok Sabha to approve the Constitution Amendment Bill concerning women’s reservation linked to delimitation. In the subsequent vote, 298 MPs supported the bill while 230 opposed it, resulting in its defeat. Brittas stated, “The dubious, diabolical game of the Modi government has fallen flat on the floor of the parliament.”

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