Senior leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), Supriya Sule, on Monday strongly criticised the Central Government over the delay in implementing the Women’s Reservation Bill, despite its unanimous passage in Parliament in 2023, reported IANS.
Questions delay in implementing women’s reservation law
Addressing reporters in Mumbai, Sule raised concerns over why women are yet to receive 33 per cent reservation in legislative bodies even in 2026. She pointed out that the legislation, widely known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, had been passed with full political consensus three years ago.
Sule argued that the continued delay indicates a lack of intent rather than procedural hurdles. She urged the government to immediately implement the quota within the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats, without waiting for additional processes, reported IANS.
Links to delimitation and census questioned
Sule criticised the Centre for linking the implementation of the reservation to delimitation and census exercises. She stated that the issue has been unnecessarily complicated by tying it to future demographic processes, particularly the pending census.
Calling it a “delimitation-linked measure rather than a straightforward reservation law,” she said the government should not delay political representation for women on such grounds, reported IANS.
Targets remarks by Devendra Fadnavis
Responding to comments made by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who accused the Opposition of being “anti-women,” Sule expressed disappointment.
She said she had expected a more informed stance from Fadnavis, adding that he was fully aware of the Bill’s passage in 2023. Sule alleged that his remarks appeared aligned with a central narrative rather than independent reasoning, reported IANS.
She also challenged the Chief Minister to a public debate on the issue, stating that she was ready to discuss the matter at any time and place.
Cites Maharashtra’s legacy on women’s reservation
Highlighting Maharashtra’s earlier efforts, Sule said the state was among the first to introduce reservation for women in governance during the tenure of Sharad Pawar. She added that leaders across party lines had acknowledged this step at the time, reported IANS.
Reiterating her party’s stand, Sule said the Opposition has consistently supported women’s empowerment and played a role in passing the 2023 legislation.
Criticism of Parliament session and other issues
Sule also criticised the recent special session of Parliament, questioning its purpose and outcome. She termed it an unnecessary exercise that failed to deliver meaningful results, particularly at a time when elections were underway in multiple states, reported IANS.
In addition, she raised concerns over the lack of progress on the proposed caste census, stating that despite verbal commitments, no financial allocation has been made in the Union Budget.
She further questioned the government’s silence on ongoing tensions in West Asia, suggesting that more substantive discussions should have taken place during the parliamentary session, reported IANS.
Calls for immediate action
Concluding her remarks, Sule reiterated her demand for the immediate implementation of 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament. She emphasised that the responsibility now lies entirely with the Central Government to act on a law that has already received unanimous approval.
(With inputs from IANS)
