Congress’s Sharp Reaction to Women’s Reservation
The Sunday Mail
New Delhi: Regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation concerning the Women’s Reservation Bill, the sharpest reaction from the Congress party has come from Rajasthan’s former Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot. Issuing a direct challenge, Gehlot stated that if PM Modi has such confidence in the Women’s Reservation Bill, he should dissolve the Lok Sabha and seek a fresh mandate. In his special address, PM Modi had launched a scathing attack on the entire opposition—including the Congress—branding them as “anti-women.” It was in response to this that Gehlot’s sharp retort emerged. Gehlot asserted that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi is so convinced regarding the Women’s Reservation Bill that the women of the country will vote exclusively for him, then he ought to dissolve the Lok Sabha and seek a fresh mandate from the people. Gehlot further argued that conducting delimitation based on the 2011 census—rather than the 2026 caste census—amounts to depriving OBC women of their rightful entitlements. The true population of OBCs will only be ascertained following the 2026 census, thereby enabling them to receive appropriate reservation benefits. Gehlot also took aim at the Election Commission, stating that issuing such a statement amidst the ongoing elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu constitutes a violation of the Model Code of Conduct. However, he added, the Election Commission has effectively transformed into the BJP’s “election department,” and consequently, there is little likelihood of any action being taken. While other Congress leaders also voiced their reactions following PM Modi’s address to the nation, the specific challenge to dissolve the Lok Sabha was issued solely by Gehlot.
