CM calls for state-wide protests over Women’s Reservation Bill

The bill providing 33% reservation for women in Parliament had already been passed in 2023 itself, that too with the support of the opposition

Metro India News | AMARAVATI 

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called for state-wide protests, alleging that parties under the INDIA bloc obstructed the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament. Addressing NDA legislators, MPs, and ministers via teleconference, Naidu issued a clear political directive to intensify outreach and mobilise public opinion on the issue.

The meeting was attended by BJP state president K. Madhav and Jana Sena leader and minister Nadendla Manohar, among others. Naidu urged leaders of the TDP, BJP, and Jana Sena to work in close coordination and take the message to the grassroots, highlighting injustice to women.

He directed party cadres to organise protests at the state, district, and mandal levels before the end of the month. Special awareness programmes under the banner “Stree Shakti” have also been planned to engage women voters and explain the NDA’s position. Additionally, large public meetings are proposed in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati as part of an intensified campaign.

Naidu launched a sharp attack on opposition parties, particularly Congress and its allies, accusing them of historically blocking the bill since 1996. He alleged that even now, the opposition had used the issue of delimitation as a pretext to stall the legislation, despite assurances from the Centre that no state would face disadvantage.

The Chief Minister emphasised that the NDA remains committed to women’s empowerment, citing past initiatives such as reservations in local bodies and the establishment of institutions focused on women’s education. He instructed leaders to widely publicise these achievements and counter misleading narratives by opposition parties.

In a strategic move, Naidu also indicated plans to convene a special session of the State Assembly to discuss the issue and politically corner the opposition. A three-member committee comprising senior leaders from the alliance has been formed to oversee campaign execution and coordination. However, the bill providing 33% reservation for women in Parliament had already been passed in 2023 itself, that too with the support of the opposition.