Recognizing Sharad Pawar: Pioneer of Women's Reservation in Maharashtra

On Wednesday, the NCP (SP) emphasized the significant role party supremo Sharad Pawar has played in advancing women's empowerment, particularly through introducing reservations for women in Maharashtra's local self-government bodies.

The party has urged the BJP to acknowledge Pawar's key contributions in the push for women's rights during the special three-day Parliament session scheduled from April 16 to 18. This session will discuss amendments to the Women's Reservation Act, known as the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', which proposes a 33 percent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies by 2029.

NCP (SP) spokesperson Mahesh Tapase highlighted Pawar's efforts, citing his past roles where he promoted women's employment in the armed forces and advocated for 50 percent reservation in Parliament and Assemblies as early as 2012.