Chandigarh, April 22
The Sirsa MP, General Secretary of All India Congress Committee and Former Union Minister Kumari Selja alleged double standards by the BJP on the issue of women’s reservation, accusing the Centre of creating confusion and delaying implementation.
Addressing a press conference at the Pradesh Congress Committee office in Chandigarh, Kumari Selja said the 2023 women’s reservation law had received unconditional support from the Congress and the Opposition, calling it a significant step towards women’s empowerment. She, however, alleged that attempts were made to introduce changes through the backdoor for political gains, without wider consultation. Kumari Selja said that such steps raise questions over intent and weaken democratic traditions.
Selja questioned why the reservation could not be implemented immediately within the existing Lok Sabha and Assembly seats if the government was genuinely committed. She alleged that linking it with delimitation and census processes was a deliberate attempt to delay its rollout. The Congress leader said the timing of the law’s notification and subsequent moves reflect opportunistic politics.
Selja demanded that the reservation be enforced without conditions to ensure women receive their constitutional rights and adequate representation. Kumari Selja added that she has been actively engaging with the public and media on key issues, including women’s reservation, and would continue outreach efforts to highlight concerns and strengthen public discourse.
