Opposition Challenges Delimitation in Women's Reservation Bill

Kerala's opposition leaders criticize the delimitation provisions in the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill, labeling it a threat to democracy. They support women's reservation but oppose the associated delimitation changes, which they argue favor northern Indian states over southern ones and undermine democratic principles.

Opposition leaders from Kerala have voiced strong objections to the delimitation clauses in the Women's Reservation Amendment Bill, which is set to be introduced in Parliament. They described the provisions as an assault on democratic principles.

Figures including Congress general secretary K C Venugopal, UDF MP N K Premachandran and CPI leader Annie Raja, support women's reservation in the current number of parliamentary seats but reject the suggested delimitation, which they claim threatens the country's democratic fabric.

Venugopal criticized the Centre for not implementing women's reservation after the bill's approval in 2023, questioning the need for census and delimitation prerequisites. Concerns were raised that the new provisions could disproportionately benefit northern states, increasing their representation, while marginalizing the southern states.

(With inputs from agencies.)