The remarks come amid reports of discussions between the government and Opposition on measures to operationalise women’s reservation, including proposals to delink delimitation from the Census and increase Lok Sabha seats.
New Delhi:Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said that both Houses of Parliament would reconvene at the earliest, possibly on April 16 after a brief recess to pass Bills to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 so that the women's reservation law can be implemented. This is expected to be the latest flashpoint between the government and the Opposition amid the poll season.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha after Question Hour on the final day of the Budget session, Rijiju said members would be called back shortly. “We have certain Bills and important issues, which have been shared with the Opposition. We are going to have a very important Bill soon,” he said.
The remarks come amid reports of discussions between the government and Opposition on measures to operationalise women’s reservation, including proposals to delink delimitation from the Census and increase Lok Sabha seats.
Opposition members questioned the timing. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said any all-party meeting should follow the conclusion of ongoing Assembly elections, alleging the move was aimed at electoral gain. “The government has a single-minded objective of gaining electoral advantage,” he said.
Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge reiterated support for women’s reservation but cautioned against haste. “We all support reservation for women, but such important legislation with long-term implications should not be rushed or used for political gain,” he said, accusing the government of behaving like a “bully”.
Responding, Rijiju said the government was bound by its commitment and rejected links to elections. “This is a promise made by Parliament to the women of the country. It has nothing to do with state elections,” he said.
Leader of the House J. P. Nadda said scheduling legislative business was the government’s prerogative. Union minister Piyush Goyal questioned the Opposition’s commitment to the proposal, while other members raised issues including extending reservations to the Rajya Sabha and provisions for sub-quotas for SC, ST and OBC women, indicating unresolved aspects of the proposed framework.
