Prabha Mallikarjun accuses NDA govt of branding opposition as anti-women

Davanagere: As elections unfold in five states, MP Prabha Mallikarjun has accused the NDA govt of trying to brand opposition parties, especially the INDIA alliance, as anti-women for political gain.Speaking at a press conference in Davanagere, Prabha said the Centre's handling of the women's reservation bill was a "pre-planned move." According to her, the govt ignored repeated requests from AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, who sought details of the proposed constitutional amendment and asked that the matter be discussed after the five-state elections. After the budget session ended in early April, the govt suddenly called a special session on April 16, 17 and 18 to push forward the 131st amendment. "The proposal involved 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, an increase in Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850, and constituency delimitation," she added.Prabha Mallikarjun said the Congress asked for an all-party meeting chaired by the Prime Minister so that the contents and implications of the bill could be explained. She alleged that the govt ignored this demand completely. Raising concerns over delimitation, she criticised Union home minister Amit Shah's remarks on the issue and said the opposition had already seen how constituency boundaries were allegedly shaped in places like Jammu & Kashmir and Assam for political advantage. "The BJP should not ‘play with the sentiments of women' for votes." She also said there was no need for haste, pointing out that the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments had already ensured 50% representation for women in local bodies.