Congress never serious about women's reservation or their empowerment: BJP
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress was never serious about providing reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, the BJP alleged on Tuesday after the government introduced a bill in this regard in the Lower House of Parliament.
The government introduced a constitutional amendment bill to reserve one-third of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, reviving the concept of women's reservation pending for 27 years for want of consensus among parties.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the introduction of the bill in the Lok Sabha shows the "unwavering commitment" of the Narendra Modi government to empower women.
"Sadly, the opposition is unable to digest this. And, what is more shameful is that except tokenism, the Congress has never been serious about women's reservation," he posted on X.
"Either they let legislations lapse or their friendly parties prevented the (women's reservation) bill from being tabled. Their double standards will never be hidden, whatever stunts they try to take credit," Shah said.
Making it the first bill to be introduced in the new Parliament building, the government said it will enable greater participation of women in policy-making at the state and national levels and help achieve the goal of making India a developed country by 2047.
The bill is named Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam.
On X, Shah said that "across the length and breadth of India, people are rejoicing the introduction of the Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament".
"It shows the unwavering commitment of the Modi government to empower women," he said.
In another post, Shah said this decision of the Modi government to give rights to "Nari Shakti" of the country will become the main pillar of building a developed and prosperous India in the times to come.
"Be it policy or leadership, India's women power has proved that they are no less than anyone in any field. The Modi government believes that building a strong and self-reliant India is not possible without the support and strength of women power," he said.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that the Congress was "never" serious about empowerment of women.
"On expected lines, Congress and INDI alliance caught between 'apna bill' versus 'bill is dhokha (cheating)' i.e.- take credit or slam PM Modi on Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam-Women's Reservation Bill," he posted on X.
"Fact is that Congress was never serious about empowerment of women," Poonawalla said.
The BJP spokesperson alleged that the Congress did nothing between 2010 and 2014 to "placate" the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal over the women's reservation bill as their support was "essential" to running the UPA-2.
"Hence, on their (RJD and SP) instance they (Congress) backtracked," he charged.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur hailed the prime minister for the introduction of the bill and said the government's decision will provide women their rights "in a true sense".
"India became a witness to a historic moment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government's policy and decisions," Thakur said on X.
"Thirty-three per cent reservation to women in Parliament will not only boost the morale of women but also motivate them to come forward and increase their participation in politics, social service and nation-building," he said.
Union Minister Smriti Irani wrote on X, "Our Nari Shakti is excelling in every field. India's vision of women-led development is both acknowledged and adopted by the global community."
"The world today recognises that true progress of humanity can only be achieved when women are placed at the forefront," she said.
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh termed the introduction of the bill in Lok Sabha as "historic" and said the government's move will prove to be a "milestone" in the glorious journey of India towards progress.
"I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for this. It's a day of pride. The bill will empower crores of women (if passed by Parliament)," he told PTI.
BJP Mahila Morcha national president Vanathi Srinivasan said the introduction of the bill to provide a 33 per cent quota for women's representation in Parliament is a "significant step" towards 'Nari Shakti' which is also 'Rashtra Shakti.'
"Today, September 19, 2023, will be entered in the annals of India's 75-year history in golden letters, as the day when half of the nation's population will get adequate representation in the highest law-making body of the country," she said.
Srinivasan thanked the prime minister for the introduction of the bill in Lok Sabha, saying, "Women's power is the nation's power, and both women and the nation are set to attain greater heights in Amrit Kaal till 2047".
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Mamata visits Bhabanipur EVM strong room, warns against counting irregularities
Kolkata (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee early Friday warned against any attempt to tamper with the counting process, hours after she visited an EVM strong room in Bhabanipur, alleging possible malpractice.
Banerjee, who emerged around 12:07 am after spending nearly four hours at the counting centre for her Bhabanipur constituency housed in Sakhawat Memorial School in south Kolkata, said only one person would be allowed inside the designated counting area.
"Either the candidate or one agent can stay upstairs. I have also suggested installation of a CCTV camera for the media," she told reporters.
Stressing the need for transparency, she said, "It is essential to maintain transparency. People’s votes must be protected. I rushed here after receiving complaints. The central forces initially did not allow me to enter."
Sounding a stern note ahead of the May 4 counting, she added, "If there is any plan to tamper with the counting process, it will not be tolerated."
On Thursday evening, Banerjee had reached the Bhabanipur Assembly segment counting centre, which houses the strong room for EVMs used in the April 29 polling, citing suspicion of tampering with the machines.
She entered the premises along with her election agent and remained inside for hours, even as Kolkata Mayor and TMC candidate from the Kolkata Port segment Firhad Hakim reached the spot but could not meet her.
"I reached here upon learning that the chief minister has arrived. But I couldn’t meet her since she was already inside the premises, exercising her right as a candidate to visit strong rooms. I wasn’t allowed there. I will not be able to confirm what exactly is transpiring inside," Hakim said.
The development coincided with protests by TMC candidates Kunal Ghosh and Shashi Panja outside the Khudiram Anushilan Kendra in north Kolkata, where they staged a sit-in alleging irregularities and possible tampering of EVMs stored in strong rooms, leading to face-offs between TMC and BJP supporters.
Earlier in a video message, Banerjee had urged party leaders, workers and polling agents to maintain a 24-hour vigil on EVM strong rooms, alleging that the BJP could attempt to tamper with the machines before counting begins.
Her remarks come amid heightened political tension in the state following a fiercely contested Assembly election, with parties closely monitoring arrangements and raising concerns over transparency.
