Parliament on verge of history, says PM Modi, as it readies to take up women's bills

NEW DELHI: Parliament is on the verge of making history, PM Narendra Modi said on Monday ahead of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha taking up his govt's bills to implement women's reservation in legislatures from 2029, as he expressed confidence amid demurring voices from Congress and its allies that the opposition will back the measures to ensure a unanimous support.

While several opposition parties have slammed the govt for "rushing" through the bills in the middle of state elections and questioned the delimitation proposal, Modi refrained from joining the issue at an event and instead spoke of the cross-party support the proposal has long enjoyed.

Credit for passage of women's quota bill will belong to every political party: PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi spoke of the cross-party support the proposal on women's quota has long enjoyed, including in 2023 when the original law was enacted, and asserted that the credit for its passage will belong to every political party.

Addressing an audience of women achievers from different sectors at Nari Shakti Vandan programme, also attended by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar of Congress, the PM said India is going to take one of the most important decisions of 21st century and the decades-old wait for reservation for women in one-third of seats in Lok Sabha and assemblies will end during Parliament's three-day sitting from Apr 16.

"Our country's Parliament is on the brink of creating history," he said, while emphasising his commitment to women's empowerment since his days as Gujarat CM by launching numerous schemes targeting different sectors for their welfare. He evoked all-round smiles and clapping as he noted how his measures to financially empower women, including by getting houses built with govt assistance registered in their name, has given them a say in their family's decision-making.

Modi said when the law was enacted in 2023, everybody wanted its quick implementation, with opposition MPs especially vocal about its enforcement from 2029. What the opposition says is also considered seriously by govt, he added. "It is our priority that this time also it is done with dialogue, cooperation and everyone's participation," he said.

Govt needs support from at least a section of opposition parties for the passage of the constitutional amendment bill, which requires two-third majority, but none of BJP's main rivals, including Congress, TMC, DMK and SP - four parties with enough MPs to deny its passage in Lok Sabha - have so far pledged categorical support.