Special MP Assembly Session on April 27: Parties to portray one another as 'anti-women, what will be the strategy of Congress and BJP?
The issue of granting 33 percent reservations to women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies has now become entangled in political maneuvering. Following the failure to pass the relevant bill in the Lok Sabha—specifically the legislation proposing to increase the number of parliamentary constituencies to 850 through delimitation, which failed to secure the required two-thirds majority—both the BJP and the Congress are now actively pursuing strategies to portray one another as 'anti-women.'
Both BJP and Cong have finalized their strategies
Meanwhile, a one-day session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly has been convened for April 27 to facilitate a discussion in the House on the subject of women's empowerment. Both the ruling party and the opposition have finalized their respective strategies for this session. During the proceedings, the government may introduce an official resolution in the House, urging the Central Government to grant 33 percent reservation to women in both the Lok Sabha and the State Assemblies.
State Govt is expected to project itself as the champion of women's interests
A discussion on the subject of women's empowerment is scheduled to take place in the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly on April 27. During this discussion, the State Government is expected to project itself as the foremost champion of women's interests by highlighting the provisions granting 50 percent reservation to women in urban local bodies as well as in the three-tier Panchayat elections within Madhya Pradesh.
In the state, while 50 percent reservation for women in Panchayats has been in effect since 2007, the provision for 50 percent reservation in urban local bodies was implemented in 2009. Prior to these changes, a provision for 33 percent reservation was in force. Significantly, the BJP was at the helm of the state government when these changes were introduced.
Govt Will Not Introduce a Censure Motion
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav announced the convening of a one-day session of the Legislative Assembly to facilitate a discussion on this subject within the House. According to constitutional experts, while a censure motion regarding the non-passage of the Lok Sabha bill will not be introduced—as doing so would not be legally tenable—the government can certainly introduce a resolution on women's empowerment in the House.
This resolution can be debated, and the House can urge the Central Government to implement the provision for 33 percent reservation, contingent upon the completion of the delimitation exercise. In this regard, the opinion of the House may be forwarded to the Central Government.
Over 40 Members May Participate in the Discussion
In the meantime, both political parties within the House are busy formulating strategies to portray one another as anti-women. A list of members scheduled to speak on this subject has already been prepared. More than 40 members from both the ruling and opposition benches are expected to participate in the discussion. This number could potentially increase at the last minute.
While the opposition advocates for implementing the women's reservation provision based on the existing 543 Lok Sabha constituencies, the ruling party favors implementing the provision based on a projected 850 Lok Sabha seats, following the completion of the delimitation exercise.