New Delhi: Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on the central government during the ongoing debate on delimitation and the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, triggering strong reactions from BJP MPs.
During his speech, Gandhi made a controversial “magician” remark, accusing the government of misleading the public. He referred to key past decisions like Balakot, demonetisation, and other policies, alleging that the government’s narrative has now been exposed.
Speaking on the Women Reservation Bill, Gandhi claimed that the move is an attempt to reshape India’s electoral map while “hiding behind women.” He alleged that the government is using the bill as a political tool rather than focusing on genuine empowerment.
The debate comes after the introduction of three key bills in the Lok Sabha on April 16, including the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, the Delimitation Bill, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill. These proposed changes aim to increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to around 850 and alter delimitation provisions.
Gandhi termed the government’s actions as “anti-national,” asserting that the opposition would strongly resist the move. He further accused the Centre of attempting to delay fair representation by disconnecting caste census data from political representation for the next 15 years.
Raising concerns over social justice, Gandhi alleged that the government is trying to limit representation for OBC communities and is attempting to redraw the political landscape to protect its electoral strength.
The remarks sparked sharp protests from BJP members in the House, leading to heated exchanges during the session. The debate on delimitation and women’s reservation continues to remain a major flashpoint in Parliament.
