Kiren Rijiju Challenges Rahul Gandhi on Women’s Reservation
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju has challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to support the women’s reservation framework “unconditionally”, triggering a fresh political exchange over the delayed implementation of the 33% quota for women in Parliament and State Assemblies.
Rijiju Challenges Rahul Gandhi on Women’s Quota
Rijiju responded to Rahul Gandhi’s recent remarks calling for greater freedom and representation for women, describing them as a “positive message” and a “visible change of heart”.
He then urged the Congress to extend unconditional support to the government’s effort to operationalise women’s reservation.
The remarks sparked an immediate response from Rahul, who pointed out that Congress had already supported the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam passed by Parliament in 2023.
Rahul Questions Women’s Quota Delimitation Link
Rahul questioned why the 2023 women’s reservation law had still not been implemented and challenged the government over its decision to link the quota with delimitation.
He called on the Centre to implement the existing law without additional conditions.
The 2023 legislation provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, but its implementation is tied to a delimitation exercise following a Census.
Women’s Reservation Sparks Fresh Political Battle
The issue returned to Parliament in April 2026 when the government attempted to amend the constitutional framework to facilitate implementation of women’s reservation ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha election.
However, the Constitution Amendment Bill failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.
Congress and several opposition parties maintain that they support women’s reservation but oppose linking its implementation with the wider delimitation exercise.
The disagreement has now become a major political confrontation, with both the government and opposition accusing each other of delaying greater representation for women.
