Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Delimitation Bill as Political Maneuver

Rahul Gandhi has heavily criticized the government's Delimitation Bill, claiming it's a political attempt to alter India's electoral landscape rather than promote women's empowerment. He argues that it sidesteps a caste census and reduces representation for marginalized groups while urging an immediate implementation of the Nari Shakti Act.

In a fiery session at the Lok Sabha, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi targeted the government over the Delimitation Bill, which is linked to implementing women's reservation from the 2029 Lok Sabha polls. Gandhi asserted that the legislation is not about empowering women but, rather, about altering the electoral map of India.

Calling it an effort to avoid conducting a caste census, Gandhi emphasized that the bill denies representation to marginalized communities, particularly the Other Backward Classes (OBCs). He argued that the government is intentionally delaying appropriate representation in Parliament and state assemblies.

As the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi declared that the opposition would block the passage of these bills, urging for the immediate enactment of the Nari Shakti Act. He accused the BJP-led government of attempting to reshape India's political map to maintain power, citing similar actions in Jammu and Kashmir and Assam, and criticized the targeting of Southern and Northeastern states.

(With inputs from agencies.)