English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Women’s Reservation: Rahul Gandhi says implement Bill now, pushes for caste census, Amit Shah says BJP doesn’t do lip service

Explaining the importance of implementing OBC quota in the Women’s Reservation Bill, Gandhi noted that among the 90 secretaries, who run the Government of India, only 3 are from the OBCs.

Published

3 years ago

on

Women's Reservation: Rahul Gandhi says implement it now, pushes for caste census, Amit Shah says BJP doesn't do lip service

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the Women’s Reservation Bill should be implemented with immediate effect and not wait for the delimitation exercise and the Census. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the Congress MP from Wayanad in Kerala said the Bill can be implemented today by giving 33% quota to women in Parliament and state assemblies. The Congress leader said the BJP likes to distract people from various issues, one of them being the caste census. Gandhi said he would like to see the Other Backward Class (OBC) reservation included in this Bill.

Explaining the importance of implementing OBC quota in the Women’s Reservation Bill, Gandhi noted that among the 90 secretaries, who run the Government of India, only 3 are from the OBCs. He said there should be greater OBC representation among the top government officials for which, he said, a caste census was necessary. The Congress MP took a jibe at the government during the women’s quota bill discussions recalling the absence of President Droupadi Murmu from the inauguration of the new Parliament Building, and said she should have also been invited as the First Citizen of the country.

Rahul Gandhi said he found it strange that the implementation of the Bill would have to now wait for a new census and delimitation. He recalled the Congress’ singular contribution of the panchayati raj system in which women were given reservation thus allowing them into the political arena. This was a huge step, he said, adding the Women’s Reservation Bill was another big step.

Countering the former Congress president, Home Minister Amit Shah conveyed his heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for getting this Bill, pending for years, introduced in the Special Session. Shah said women’s empowerment has been nothing but a political tool for the opposition to win votes and claimed it was not a political issue for his party.

Shah said the BJP government’s lifeline has been the protection, respect for and equality for women since its inception. He noted that the benefits of government welfare schemes go directly into the bank accounts of women.

He listed a host of women-centric initiatives of the Modi government including the Ujjwala Scheme, the Jan Dhan Yojana, maternity benefits and health insurance. Shah said the government has brought this bill to amend faults in Indian society and give power and respect to women, Amit Shah said. This amendment came up four times earlier, but it couldn’t be passed. Every time, this House disappointed the country’s women, he said. The Home Minister requested the House to pass the Bill unanimously.

There are only three categories for political representation as of now, the OBCs, the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes. This Bill will gives women reservation in all three categories, Amit Shah said. Speaking on the delimitation commission, Amit Shah said such a panel would include a retired Supreme Court judge, senior Election Commission officials and other members of constitutional bodies along with representatives of political parties.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

India News

West Bengal BJP government set for oath ceremony as suspense over new CM continues

The BJP is preparing to form its first government in West Bengal after securing a massive Assembly election victory, with the new Chief Minister expected to be chosen during a legislature party meeting in Kolkata.

Published

24 mins ago

on

May 8, 2026

By

The Bharatiya Janata Party is preparing to form its first government in West Bengal after its decisive victory in the 2026 Assembly elections. The swearing-in ceremony of the new government is scheduled for May 9 in Kolkata, while suspense continues over the party’s Chief Ministerial choice.

According to reports, the BJP legislature party is expected to meet on Friday in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to elect its leader formally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and several senior BJP leaders are likely to attend the oath-taking ceremony.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has emerged as the frontrunner for the Chief Minister’s post following the BJP’s strong performance in the elections. Other names reportedly under consideration include Samik Bhattacharya, Sukanta Majumdar and Swapan Dasgupta.

The political developments come a day after Governor RN Ravi dissolved the West Bengal Legislative Assembly and state cabinet following the completion of the Assembly election process. The dissolution order was issued under Article 174(2)(b) of the Constitution after outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declined to submit her resignation despite the Trinamool Congress losing power.

The BJP secured a clear majority in the 294-member Assembly, ending the Trinamool Congress’ 15-year rule in the state. The election outcome marks a major political shift in West Bengal, where the BJP is set to form a government for the first time.

Preparations for the swearing-in ceremony are underway at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Ground, where senior BJP leaders and party supporters are expected to gather for the event.

Continue Reading

India News

West Bengal Governor dissolves Assembly amid political transition 

Governor R N Ravi dissolved the West Bengal Assembly after the 2026 poll results, with the BJP securing a majority in the state elections.

Published

14 hours ago

on

May 7, 2026

By

The West Bengal Legislative Assembly was dissolved following the conclusion of the 2026 Assembly elections, in which the Bharatiya Janata Party secured a clear majority in the state.

Governor R N Ravi issued the order dissolving the Assembly as the state prepared for the transition of power after the election results. According to reports, the BJP won 207 seats in the 294-member Assembly, while the Trinamool Congress secured 80 seats.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned the election outcome and alleged irregularities in the poll process, claiming the mandate had been “looted”.

The dissolution came as the tenure of the existing Assembly ended on May 7, 2026. The development has sparked political discussions over the formation of the next government in the state.

Meanwhile, Mamata Banerjee held a meeting with newly elected Trinamool Congress MLAs in Kolkata and reportedly raised concerns over internal sabotage during the elections.

The BJP is expected to begin the formal process of government formation in West Bengal after its decisive victory in the Assembly polls.

Continue Reading

India News

Eknath Shinde’s helicopter returns to Mumbai mid-flight due to bad weather

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s helicopter was forced to return to Mumbai after the pilot detected approaching storm conditions during a flight to Thane district.

Published

14 hours ago

on

May 7, 2026

By

Eknath_shinde (1)

A helicopter carrying Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was forced to return to Mumbai on Thursday after encountering adverse weather conditions during a flight to Thane district.

According to officials, Shinde had departed from Mahalaxmi Racecourse in south Mumbai around 3.30 pm and was travelling to Murbad in Thane district to attend a wedding function related to a party worker’s family.

The helicopter reportedly reached the Airoli area in Navi Mumbai when the pilot noticed an approaching storm and informed the deputy chief minister about the deteriorating weather conditions. Following the alert, the flight was turned back as a precautionary measure.

The helicopter later landed safely at the Pawan Hans facility in Juhu, Mumbai. Officials said Shinde was accompanied by members of his staff, including personal assistant Prabhakar Kale, special executive officer Balsingh Rajput and media adviser Vinay Patrdukar.

The incident comes amid changing weather conditions and storm activity reported in parts of Maharashtra in recent days.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com