CM slams Oppn over women’s quota bill

Raipur: Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Sunday criticised opposition parties over their stance on the Nari Shakti Vandan Bill, accusing them of disappointing women across the country. Speaking at the BJP state headquarters, Sai alleged that parties such as the Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Trinamool Congress (TMC) opposed the bill, which he said impacted "70 crore women." He described women as symbols of dignity in Indian culture, likening them to Goddess Durga.Highlighting his state's record, Sai said Chhattisgarh provides 50 percent reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj system, with women holding 57 percent of panchayat posts and around 21-22 percent representation in the state assembly. He also cited the election of Laxmi Verma as part of efforts to promote women's participation in politics.The CM pointed to welfare initiatives such as Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, ration distribution, and Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana as examples of the government's focus on women. He further accused Congress of following a "divide and rule" approach and alleged that opposition parties used delimitation concerns to delay the bill due to electoral considerations. Sai warned of public backlash against them in future elections.BJP national general secretary Arun Singh, who accompanied the CM, echoed the criticism, saying the opposition's stance on women's rights would be remembered negatively.