3 weeks ago
Government seeks Congress support for women's reservation delimitation bill
Narendra Modi's government in India wants to pass a new law about Parliament seats.
This law would make room for more women to become members of Parliament.
To do this, the number of seats in the Lok Sabha would grow from 543 to as many as 850.
The government needs the support of other political parties to pass the law.
A government minister, Kiren Rijiju, met with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to ask for help.
The Congress party wants Amit Shah, the home minister, to first explain what happened to student protesters on July 20.
Congress also disagrees with the new law and wants a discussion about donations at the Ram temple.
The government hopes to pass the law before August 13, when the monsoon session ends.
It needs 360 votes out of 540 seats, so every party's support matters.
If the government is not sure it has enough votes, it may send the bill to a committee for more study.
Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju met Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to seek Congress support and end the Parliament deadlock.
Congress insists Parliament can return to normal only after Amit Shah makes a statement on the July 20 police action against student protesters.
The bill would raise Lok Sabha strength from 543 to up to 850 seats to operationalise the 2023 women's reservation law through delimitation based on the 2011 Census.
The amendment was defeated in April, but the BJP believes defections from the Trinamool Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) give it a two-thirds majority.
With an effective Lok Sabha strength of 540, the government needs 360 votes, and the DMK's position is seen as a crucial factor.
- Who
- The Narendra Modi government, represented by Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju, and Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra; Union home minister Amit Shah's clarification is also at issue.
- What
- A renewed push to pass a constitutional amendment bill on women's reservation and delimitation that would increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to up to 850.
- Where
- Parliament, India, in the Lok Sabha.
- When
- The meeting took place on Wednesday; the bill is planned for next week, before the monsoon session concludes on August 13.
- Why
- To operationalise the 2023 women's reservation law and regain the political narrative after Gen Z protests and by-election setbacks.
Congress/Opposition stance
Government/BJP stance
July 20 police action
Congress/Opposition stance
Congress insists Amit Shah must make a statement on alleged police excesses against peaceful student protesters on July 20 before Parliament returns to normal.
Government/BJP stance
The government says Amit Shah would respond during the discussion on the FCRA amendment bill and clarify the police action in that context.
Delimitation and women's reservation bill
Congress/Opposition stance
Congress firmly opposes the proposed delimitation legislation.
Government/BJP stance
The government wants to pass the constitutional amendment to operationalise the 2023 women's reservation law and believes it can muster a two-thirds majority.
Ram temple donation theft discussion
Congress/Opposition stance
Congress demands a discussion on the theft of donations at the Ram temple as a pre-requisite for normal parliamentary business.
Government/BJP stance
The government refuses, arguing the matter is under the Supreme Court's consideration and fears it would be used to target the wider Sangh Parivar.
Key facts
- Government
- Narendra Modi government (BJP-led)
- Bill
- Constitutional amendment on women's reservation and delimitation
- Lok Sabha seat increase
- From 543 to up to 850
- Census basis
- 2011 Census
- Votes needed
- 360 of the effective strength of 540
- Monsoon session ends
- August 13
- Meeting
- Kiren Rijiju with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, about 45 minutes
- Prior defeats
- Bill defeated by united Opposition in April
Quotes
Kiren Rijiju
Union parliamentary affairs minister
“The meeting was primarily aimed at seeking the Opposition’s cooperation in ending the deadlock in Parliament. The FCRA amendment bill and the delimitation plan also figured in the discussions. We hope the Opposition will respond positively and play a constructive role.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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