Cong, DMK should apologise to people for defeating women's reservation bill: Andhra CM Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday demanded that the DMK and Congress should apologise for defeating ''the women's reservation bill'' in the Lok Sabha, while asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's move to introduce the quota was ''one of the most progressive decisions for the country''. Addressing a meeting here ahead of the April 23 state Assembly polls, Naidu, alluding to the Congress and DMK, said that some parties were ''always opposed'' to reforms and that the people of Tamil Nadu should defeat them. Attacking the ruling DMK, the TDP supremo alleged that the MK Stalin-led political dispensation in the state failed to take advantage of the Central government's cooperation. ''I am telling you, what Modi Ji has done for women, 33 per cent (quota), that is one of the most progressive decisions for the country. What Congress, DMK and other political parties have done was an injustice to the women. Every woman has to discuss, debate,'' he said. The opposition bloc defeated the Constitution (131st Amendment) bill that sought to facilitate the implementation of women's reservation by expanding the strength of the Lok Sabha, apart from making changes to delimitation, on Friday. ''It is a progressive policy. They (Congress, DMK and other parties) opposed. Now they have to tell women their apologies. They betrayed women's empowerment,'' he added. According to the CM, the DMK has blocked the share of MPs' seats due for the southern state by blocking the women's reservation bill, despite a clear indication from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that all states will see a rise of 50 per cent seats uniformly. Accusing the Congress of opposing women's reservation in legislative bodies since erstwhile Prime Minister Deve Gowda's time, Naidu lambasted the DMK for working with the Congress party. Naidu exhorted that the southern states will lose immensely if delimitation is executed under the 2027 census. Reiterating that PM Modi is the right leader in the right time at the right place, the NDA ally observed that the former is finely balancing welfare, development and good governance. Highlighting that India is being respected globally, Naidu exuded confidence that India will become the number one country. Under PM Modi's leadership, Naidu expressed confidence that the Viksit Bharat (developed India) vision will be realised. ''All of you should vote for NDA to regain the past glory of Tamil Naidu...NDA will take the responsibility of changing your lives... All intellectuals in Tamil Nadu have to think. This is my appeal to all of you in the national interest,'' he said. Under DMK, he alleged that crimes against women rose by 50 per cent, witnessed 32 custodial deaths and several other crimes. Naidu alleged that the Hindu religion was mocked during the DMK government. A progressive state like Tamil Nadu is lagging now, plagued by several corruption scandals, he alleged. The Andhra CM further alleged that the incumbent DMK government lacked vision. Naidu is on a two-day visit to Tamil Nadu to canvass votes for the AIADMK-led NDA in the April 23 polls.