BJP committed to women's quota rollout; opposition delaying it: Smriti Irani

Senior BJP leader Smriti Irani on Monday reiterated the party's commitment to implementing the women's reservation law, while accusing the TMC and the Congress of adopting a ''contradictory'' stand and delaying its rollout. Addressing a press conference here, Irani said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already made the government's position clear, which is to ensure the implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. Highlighting the BJP's internal structure, Irani claimed, ''We are a political organisation which has reserved seats for women within the party. Today, women are equal participants even in the parliamentary board that decides tickets.'' Targeting the opposition, she questioned their shifting stance on delimitation, a prerequisite for implementing the reservation. ''If they supported earlier, why did they suddenly make it an issue during the special session and withdraw support?'' she asked, calling it a ''serious question'' for both the Congress and the TMC. Irani alleged that the opposition's position amounted to misleading women. ''Were they deceiving the country then, or are they doing so now?'' she said, referring to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders. Taking aim at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Irani said attempts to defer implementation of the women's reservation amounted to delaying women's rights. ''How long should women of Bengal and the country wait? Irani asked, stating, ''This is not just a betrayal of women in Bengal, but of women across the country.'' She countered TMC's claim of having the highest number of women MPs, stating, ''In absolute numbers, the highest representation of women in Parliament is from the NDA.'' She also pointed to BJP-led initiatives such as gender budgeting and targeted fund allocations, claiming these demonstrate the party's commitment to women's empowerment. Regarding TMC's allegations that the BJP was using women as a ''shield'' and attempting constitutional changes, Irani dismissed the charge. Responding to alleged election Model Code of Conduct violations related to the distribution of 'Matri Shakti' and 'Yuva Shakti' cards, she rejected the claims, asserting that such outreach reflects policy intent rather than inducement. ''If, as a political party, we present what economic empowerment we will provide to mothers and sisters after coming to power, that is our right,'' she said.