Amid the ongoing political uproar surrounding the Women’s Reservation Bill, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday reiterated his party’s clear and firm position, advocating for the immediate implementation of the legislation.
Thackeray emphasised that the Women’s Reservation Bill had already been passed by Parliament in 2023, and therefore, there should be no further delay in enforcing the provision of 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies.
Demand for Immediate Rollout of 33 per cent Reservation
Highlighting the urgency of the issue, Thackeray stated that the intent behind passing the bill must now translate into action. He underscored that women’s representation in governance cannot be postponed any longer, and called for swift execution of the constitutional mandate.
“The bill has already been approved. Accordingly, 33 per cent reservation for women should be implemented immediately,” he asserted.
Delimitation Issue Should Be Put on Hold
Addressing the contentious issue of constituency delimitation, Thackeray urged that the matter be temporarily set aside. He described delimitation as a complex and far-reaching national issue that requires deeper deliberation.
According to him, linking the implementation of women’s reservation with delimitation could unnecessarily delay a crucial reform aimed at enhancing women’s political participation.
‘Nation’s Future Above Political Interests’
Thackeray further stressed that the issue should not be viewed through the lens of partisan politics. He maintained that the broader national interest must take precedence over the political future of any individual party.
“This is not about the political future of any one party, but about the future of the country,” he said, adding that the delimitation process demands extensive discussion and research before any decisions are made.
Call for Wider Consultation on Delimitation
Reiterating the need for a balanced approach, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader called for comprehensive consultations and studies on delimitation, given its potential implications on national unity and representation.
A special three-day sitting of Parliament will be held from April 16 to 18, during which amendments to the `Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam`, commonly known as the Women`s Reservation Act, mandating 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, will be brought for implementation in 2029.
The amendments also seek to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 850 from the current 543 to “operationalise” the women`s reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise to be carried out based on the last published census.
