NEW DELHI: Following the failure of the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill in Parliament, a race has begun between the government and the opposition to label one another as “anti-women.” In this initial phase, the BJP appears to be taking a significant lead, while the opposition seems to be lagging behind. This is largely because, over the past few days, the BJP and the government have been consistently campaigning and raising the issue of women’s empowerment. Since the bill’s collapse, the party has adopted an even more aggressive stance. The BJP has decided to launch a nationwide campaign, taking to the streets to inform the general public that the Congress—and indeed the entire opposition—is anti-women. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi downwards, all party leaders have begun targeting the opposition over the issue of women’s reservation during their election rallies. In essence, the BJP has already begun its efforts to woo the “other half of the population” in preparation for the upcoming elections.
On the other hand, a state of confusion persists within the opposition ranks. Initially, reports emerged suggesting that the opposition intended to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to demand that the 33% reservation be implemented within the existing 543 parliamentary seats, and to submit a memorandum to that effect. However, Priyanka Gandhi—the party General Secretary who has taken charge of the front for the Congress—dismissed these reports. She clarified that no specific strategy has been formulated yet. She stated, “Our demand is that the government grant women 33% reservation within the existing 543 seats for the 2029 general elections. If any legislative amendments are required to achieve this, they should be undertaken, and the opposition will extend its support.” Yet, in the same breath, she also spoke of implementing the 2023 legislation in 2029. When asked about the fact that the 2023 law explicitly stipulates that delimitation (redistribution of seats) is to take place only after a new census is conducted, she appeared confused on that point as well. Will the party launch a movement? What will its future strategy be? Priyanka could not provide any answers. During the hastily convened press conference, Priyanka appeared to be in a rush to attend her husband Robert Vadra’s birthday celebration; she even mentioned that it was indeed her husband’s birthday that day. Priyanka’s primary emphasis was on the claim that the government’s conspiracy had failed, that the defeat of the bill marked a victory for democracy, and that the BJP had suffered a major setback—among other similar points. However, the Congress party failed to determine what course of action it should take next. Another apparent concern for the Congress was ensuring that SP leader Akhilesh Yadav did not further fuel the demand for reservations for Muslim women. Political observers note that, over the past decade, the contemporary Congress party has failed to successfully mobilize a single mass movement. The situation is much the same for the SP and other political parties. The success of the farmers’ protest, for instance, was driven by farmers’ organisations; the Congress, on its own, is currently in no position to achieve anything substantial. It is quite possible that, once the elections in Bengal and Tamil Nadu conclude, the brother-sister duo might head abroad for a vacation.
The Women’s Reservation Bill of 2023 could not, under any circumstances, have been implemented in 2029. The government was well aware of this fact. The government also knew that it did not possess a two-thirds majority. Yet, it introduced the amendment bill. The bill was debated at a time when the government was under siege regarding various issues; conversely, elections are scheduled to take place in Tamil Nadu and Bengal. Experts believe that even if the NDA derives a benefit of merely half a percent—or one percent—from the Women’s Reservation Bill, it would be considered a major achievement. Prime Minister Modi has, in fact, already raised this issue in Tamil Nadu. The BJP’s current strategy makes it abundantly clear that the Women’s Reservation Bill will emerge as a major electoral issue in the upcoming assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Punjab next year.
