Punjab Congress leaders have thrown their weight behind the Women's Reservation Bill, showing their unwavering support for this long-pending legislation. The bill, which proposes to provide increased representation for women in legislative bodies, has garnered strong backing from top Congress figures.
Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has not only voiced his endorsement of the bill but has also credited the Indian National Congress (INC) for its original conception. In his statement, Warring emphasized that the demand for women's reservation in political bodies had been pending for a significant period. He clarified that it was the Congress that initially conceptualized the Women's Reservation Bill, reflecting the party's commitment to enhancing gender representation.
Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa joined in the chorus of support for the bill while taking a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union Government. Bajwa remarked that despite the BJP's attempts to claim credit for the proposed Women's Reservation Bill, it was the Indian National Congress that had first envisioned this crucial initiative.
The Women's Reservation Bill has been a topic of discussion for years, reflecting the widespread desire for increased women's participation in legislative bodies. The backing of influential Congress leaders, including Warring and Bajwa, signifies the party's dedication to promoting gender equality in governance.
The development comes in response to the introduction of the bill in the Parliament and amidst an apparent attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to claim undue credit for it.
Warring stressed that the demand for women's reservation in legislative bodies has been a long-standing one, and it was the INC that initially conceived the Women's Reservation Bill. He expressed his support for the legislation and urged the BJP-led Union Government to acknowledge its origins accurately.
Warring underscored that the Congress’ commitment to women's empowerment and representation in political bodies remained unwavering. He recalled that the Women's Reservation Bill, which proposes 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, received approval in the Rajya Sabha on March 9, 2010, during the tenure of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's government under UPA - 1.
Warring did not mince words when criticizing the BJP-led Union Government's apparent eagerness to claim credit for the initiative. He emphasized that the Women's Reservation Bill was a victory not just for the Indian National Congress but also for the UPA allies.