Margaret Alva Criticizes BJP's Women Reservation Bill Setback

The recent defeat of the Constitution amendment bill in the Lok Sabha marks the first public setback for the BJP-led government, according to senior Congress leader Margaret Alva. The bill, aimed at implementing women's reservation by expanding Lok Sabha seats and altering delimitation processes, faced opposition and was ultimately defeated.

Margaret Alva criticized the BJP for showing no real concern regarding women's reservation, highlighting that despite the bill passing with much anticipation in 2023, its implementation remains stalled. She pointed out that with conditions tied to census data, the bill is unlikely to take effect by 2029.

Alva, who chaired a committee on women's dignity in the 1980s, emphasized the importance of political empowerment. She criticized the BJP for rejecting implementation suggestions based on the 2011 Census and questioned the rationale behind increasing Lok Sabha seats, suggesting a bias toward certain states in allocation benefits.