PM Modi Seeks Support For Women’s Quota Bill, Kharge Demands All-Party Meet

PM Modi seeks cross-party backing to amend Women’s Reservation Bill for faster rollout; Kharge accuses government of lack of transparency and chasing “political mileage.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge (R) (Image: PTI/File)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s letter seeking support from political parties for an amendment to the Women’s Reservation Bill has triggered a sharp response from Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, who accused the government of pushing the move without transparency to “gain political mileage rather than truly empower women.”

The proposed amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam—which guarantees one-third reservation for women in legislatures—aims to fast-track its implementation by linking it to the 2011 Census instead of the 2027 Census, potentially bringing it into effect before the 2029 general elections. A special Parliament session has been called next week to discuss the changes.

In his outreach, Prime Minister Modi urged cross-party cooperation, highlighting the 2023 passage of the law as a landmark moment of unity. “From April 16, a historic discussion related to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam is set to take place in Parliament. This special sitting is an opportunity to further strengthen our democracy. It is also a moment to reiterate our collective commitment to moving forward together, taking everyone along. I am writing this letter to you with this spirit and purpose,” the PM stated.

PM Modi added that the time had come to implement the law nationwide and called on MPs to participate actively in the debate, stressing its importance for women’s representation and democratic strength.

Congress Chief Raises Delimitation Concerns

However, Kharge questioned the government’s approach, pointing out the absence of clarity on key aspects such as delimitation.

“As you are aware the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 was passed by Parliament unanimously in September 2023. At that time, on behalf of the Indian National Congress, I had demanded that this important law should become effective immediately. Though in your letter you have mentioned that there was broad consensus for its immediate implementation, you did not implement the same,” Kharge wrote in a letter shared on X on Sunday.

“It has been 30 months since then, and now this special sitting has been called without taking us into confidence and your government is seeking our cooperation again without revealing any details on the delimitation going to be done. You will appreciate that without details of the delimitation and other aspects, it would be impossible to have any useful discussion on this historic law,” he further wrote.

‘Hasty Move For Political Mileage’: Kharge Targets Centre

The Congress chief also disputed claims of prior consultations, stating that opposition parties had been demanding an all-party meeting after ongoing elections. “You mention in your letter that your government has engaged in dialogue with political parties regarding this. However, I am pained to point out that this goes against the truth since all the Opposition parties have been urging the Government to call an All-Party meeting after the current round of elections is over on April 29th 2026 to discuss the Constitution amendments being contemplated,” he said, urging wider consultations before proceeding.

“The calling of a special sitting during the ongoing state elections only reinforces our belief that your government is hurrying the implementation of the bill to gain political mileage rather than truly empower women,” the letter further read.

He reiterated the demand for an all-party meeting after the upcoming polls are over to discuss the amendments.

“If the special sitting is meant to “strengthen our democracy” and “moving forward together, taking everyone along” as you write in the letter, then I would suggest that the government convene an All-Party meeting any time after April 29th to discuss the delimitation issue which is being linked to the amendment to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023,” he concluded.

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