The Congress leader flags concerns over linking women’s quota to delimitation, census
Guwahati: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi sharpened the Opposition’s stance on electoral reforms, calling for the immediate implementation of women’s reservation without linking it to the census or delimitation. Terming the proposal “simple,” he said the quota should be enforced unconditionally while the national census is expedited to ensure accurate representation of OBCs, SCs and STs.
The Congress leader further emphasised that delimitation must be based on a “broad national consensus” to safeguard the federal balance. Criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Gogoi alleged the government was “mixing up distinct issues” and using women’s reservation as a cover to delay the caste census while pushing what he called an “unfair delimitation.”
The remarks come as the Centre moves ahead with a major legislative push. During a special three-day sitting of Parliament from April 16 to 18, the government introduced three key bills: the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, aimed at operationalising women’s reservation and redrawing constituencies. The proposed framework could expand the Lok Sabha from 543 seats to over 800, significantly altering electoral representation ahead of 2029.
Defending the sequencing, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the women’s reservation framework passed in 2023 would only be implemented after the census and delimitation, in line with constitutional provisions. He assured that no state would lose representation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the move as a “historic step,” while Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju urged parties not to “spread rumours.” However, Opposition protests, led by figures like M. K. Stalin, have intensified, reflecting deep divisions over the roadmap for implementation.
Also Read: Curfew Imposed in Manipur’s Bishnupur After Fresh Clashes Leave Several Injured
