NEW DELHI: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Sunday reiterated its support for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, but urged the Centre to implement the quota based on the current strength of the house and provide greater clarity on the proposed delimitation exercise.The issue was raised by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva during the all-party meeting convened by the Centre ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins on Monday.Speaking to reporters after the all-party meeting, Siva said the party supported the Women’s Reservation Bill but remained concerned about its linkage with delimitation.“The DMK is in favour of the Women’s Reservation Bill on the current strength in the Lok Sabha, but we want more clarity on the delimitation issue,” Siva said.The senior DMK leader also cautioned that the delimitation exercise should not disadvantage southern states, which have recorded lower population growth over the years.“If it affects the southern states, it should be put in abeyance for 25 years,” Siva said.The Women’s Reservation Bill, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, was passed by Parliament in September 2023. It provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha, state legislative assemblies and the Delhi legislative assembly. However, its implementation has been linked to the first delimitation exercise after the next Census.The Centre had introduced the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in April this year to expedite the delimitation process and enable implementation of the reservation before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. However, the constitutional amendment failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session. It received 298 votes in favour and 230 against.Meanwhile, the CPI(M)-affiliated All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) has also stepped up pressure for the immediate implementation of the legislation without waiting for the Census or delimitation exercise.
AIDWA also urge immediate implementation
AIDWA Himachal Pradesh state secretary Pharma Chauhan said the organisation had urged the Congress and other opposition parties to back implementation of the law in its original form during the Monsoon Session.“The Census and delimitation conditions should be removed. The legislation should be implemented without any further delay,” Chauhan told ANI.She argued that despite Parliament passing the legislation nearly three years ago, women were yet to benefit from the constitutional guarantee.“It is unfortunate that despite the passage of the legislation, it has not been implemented. Today, only around 70 women represent nearly half the country’s population in Parliament. If 33 per cent reservation were implemented, about 183 women would be elected to the 543-member Lok Sabha,” she said.Responding to the demand, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Vinay Kumar said that the party will forward the demand to its national leadership.“The Congress has always stood with women and will continue to support them. We will convey the delegation’s demand to our high command and seek that the legislation passed earlier be implemented in its original form,” Vinay Kumar said.
Chirag Paswan backs delimitation
The issue also drew support from union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, who rejected allegations that the government was using delimitation to delay women’s reservation.“I fully support this bill, and so does my party. Some people say that women’s reservation is being brought in under the guise of delimitation. I disagree. It is not being done under the cover of anything,” Paswan told ANI.Paswan’s remarks come amid growing political differences over the government’s proposed delimitation roadmap and its implications for the implementation of women’s reservation.
