West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced her party’s support for the Women’s Reservation Bill but issued a strong warning against linking it with the proposed delimitation exercise, saying the Trinamul Congress (TMC) would not accept any such move.
Addressing a public meeting in Dum Dum, Banerjee said, “We will support the Women’s Reservation Bill. But do not try to bring anything else along with it. We will not allow that.”
Her remarks come amid an intensifying political debate over the Centre’s legislative agenda during the ongoing special session of Parliament.
The Women’s Reservation Bill, formally introduced as the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, seeks to reserve 33 per cent of seats in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies for women.
However, opposition parties, including the TMC, have raised concerns over the Centre’s attempt to link the implementation of the quota with a delimitation exercise based on future census data.
Banerjee underlined that passing a constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament and questioned the intent behind combining the two issues.
“Our party already has 37 per cent elected women representatives. First ensure women get tickets and win in your own party,” she said, taking a swipe at the BJP.
The TMC chief also alleged that the Centre is using the Women’s Reservation Bill as a “shield” to push forward a broader political agenda.
According to opposition leaders, the delimitation process ~ expected to redraw parliamentary constituencies ~ could lead to an increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats, reportedly up to 850, and alter the balance of political power between regions.
Critics argue that such a move may disproportionately benefit northern states, where the BJP has a stronger presence, while reducing the relative influence of southern states.
Ms Banerjee echoed these concerns, alleging that the delimitation plan could “divide the country” and even hinted at a “plan to divide Bengal.”
“The government is trying to bring the Delimitation Bill and the Women’s Reservation Bill together.
Do not insult women like this,” she said. “We already have 50 per cent reservation for women in municipalities and panchayats. We will support the women’s bill, but not delimitation.”
The Centre is reportedly aiming to pass three key legislations during the special session: the Women’s Reservation Bill, the Delimitation Bill, and an amendment to laws governing Union Territories.
The developments have triggered sharp political reactions, with the opposition demanding that each proposal be debated and passed independently.