Congress parliamentarian Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stated on Saturday that the central BJP administration has forfeited public confidence. She described the day as a ‘black day’ for the government, noting it as their initial significant setback, which she believed was warranted.
Gandhi Vadra highlighted the administration’s inability to enact legislation on women’s reservations and constituency redrawing as evidence of eroded trust. She accused the BJP of aiming to favor larger northern states over southern ones through the redrawing process. ‘Such actions could trigger a serious national crisis,’ she warned. ‘We advocate preserving the current setup with proportional representation.’
She expressed no joy over the government’s failure regarding the women’s quota legislation. ‘This is not a cause for celebration,’ she remarked. ‘Instead, we have safeguarded democratic principles by thwarting their underlying scheme. My parliamentary address outlined their intentions clearly, and we have successfully countered their redrawing plot.’
Gandhi Vadra emphasized that the opposition coalition supports the immediate rollout of the 2023 women’s reservation law. ‘A notification was issued recently after years of inaction. Proceed with implementation; we have no objections,’ she said. ‘We back women’s reservations firmly, but we cannot endorse the manner of presentation or the associated threats to national democracy and cohesion.’
She alleged the bill was proposed mainly for political gain. ‘By linking it to redrawing and the 2011 census, it was evident the legislation would not succeed. They sought only the acclaim,’ she claimed.
Gandhi Vadra suggested the move was part of a broader strategy to retain power indefinitely, using women’s issues as a tool. ‘They anticipated victory if passed, or positioning themselves as women’s champions by labeling opponents as unsupportive if defeated. True advocacy for women requires more effort,’ she told reporters outside the legislature.
