Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Modi's Alleged 'Power Grab' through Delimitation

Rahul Gandhi alleges PM Modi's amendments to the women's reservation law and delimitation as 'anti-national' activities, asserting that they infringe on OBC rights and unfairly affect smaller states. He urges for women’s reservation to be based on the upcoming 2026 census and criticizes current government proposals.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attempting a 'power grab' through proposed amendments to India's women's reservation law and delimitation process. Released a day before the amendments were tabled in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi's video message framed these moves as 'anti-national' and detrimental to the rights of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and smaller states.

Advocating for women's reservation to be based on the anticipated 2026 census, Gandhi criticized the government for using outdated 2011 census data, which he argued lacks specific figures necessary for equitable representation. He claimed that Modi's strategies aim to disproportionately diminish the participation of backward classes, southern, and northeastern states in India's political landscape.

Furthermore, Gandhi reaffirmed his party's support for women's reservation, while denouncing the delimitation exercise as 'politically motivated.' In a strategic meeting led by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, opposition parties agreed to collectively oppose the delimitation provisions linked to the Constitution amendment bill, arguing they serve as a veiled attempt at political manipulation rather than genuine empowerment.

(With inputs from agencies.)