CPI(M) demands wider talks on women’s quota, delimitation

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Friday hit out at the Modi Government for its new proposals on women’s reservation, demanding that the Centre postpone the move to allow for wider consultations with political parties and State Governments.

In a statement issued by its Polit Bureau, the CPI(M) alleged that the Government’s latest plan — which reportedly links the implementation of the reservation to an increase in the number of seats in Parliament and Assemblies based on the 2011 Census — is aimed at “narrow political benefit” ahead of Assembly elections.

The party contended that while it remains committed to the mandatory one-third reservation for women, the current linkage to census and delimitation exercises acts as a hurdle. “Even in 2023, we had said that the linkage will mean such a delay that women will be denied their right not only in 2024 but also in 2029,” the statement noted.

Criticising the lack of transparency, the Polit Bureau stated, “After two years where neither a Delimitation Commission has been set up, nor the Census started as promised, the Government has come up with new proposals without any discussions with the Opposition parties, despite repeated demands for an all-party meeting.”

The Left party argued that any increase in the number of legislative seats carries significant implications that require a consensus among all States. “The proposal raises many issues which cannot be pushed through and requires discussion and consultation with all States,” the CPI(M) said.

Reiterating its stand, the party claimed that women’s reservation could be implemented as early as the 2029 General Election if the Government showed “political will” by amending the law to delink the quota from the census and delimitation requirements. The party demanded an immediate all-party meeting to address the implications of the proposed changes.