Modi killed bill on women's quota, opposition fought delimitation bill only: Cong's Kharge

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday claimed it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi who ''killed'' the Constitution amendment bill to implement women's quota in legislatures from 2029 and pointed out that the opposition has fought the delimitation bill only. Taking a jibe at the prime minister for campaigning extensively across West Bengal for the Assembly polls, he asked whether Modi wished to become the chief minister of the state. Over the prime minister accusing the Congress and other opposition parties of committing ''foeticide'' after the bill to implement 33 per cent women's reservation in legislatures in 2029 derailed in the Lok Sabha, Kharge said, ''It is you (Modi) who killed the women's reservation bill; we fought against the Delimitation Bill and not against the bill on women's quota.'' Addressing a poll rally in Cooch Behar, the Congress president said, ''We are always keen to ensure the rights and welfare of women'', and reminded the gathering that the party has had women leaders like Sarojini Naidu, Indira Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi.