Modi makes 33 pc quota pitch to Bengal’s women voters from 2029 LS polls

Cooch Behar, Apr 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that the 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies would start benefiting them from the 2029 parliamentary polls, as he sought to weaken West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s strongest electoral constituency.

Addressing his first rally in north Bengal after the poll schedule was announced, Modi turned the sprawling ground in Cooch Behar into a direct appeal to Bengal’s women, invoking the state’s tradition of “Shakti” worship, citing the Sandeshkhali outrage and projecting the BJP as the guarantor of “security, dignity and empowerment” for women.

“It is important for the country that women have a greater role in decisions made for the country. Therefore, our government has enacted a law providing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies,” Modi said.

In what could have major political implications in a state where women constitute nearly half the electorate and have emerged as the backbone of the TMC’s electoral dominance, the PM said the NDA government was now trying to ensure that the quota law passed in 2023 comes into force from the next Lok Sabha election.

“The sisters of West Bengal and of the entire country should begin getting its benefit from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections itself. We are trying to ensure this. Therefore, the government has convened a special session of Parliament this month,” he said.

“This right of mothers and sisters has been pending for 40 years. There should not be any further delay,” he added, in remarks that appeared aimed as much at the opposition parties as at women voters across the country.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had indicated in Rajya Sabha on Thursday that Parliament would meet again soon to consider a key legislation.

The Budget session of Parliament has been extended for three more days and will reconvene on April 16 after a brief recess, with the Centre planning to bring legislation to raise the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816.

The proposed increase in seats is aimed at facilitating implementation of the women’s reservation law enacted in 2023.

As the crowd, dotted with large numbers of women from Cooch Behar and adjoining districts, responded with chants of “Modi, Modi”, the Prime Minister appealed to them to mount pressure on political parties to back the measure.

“We want to put a firm stamp in Parliament on increasing additional seats for women, so that the states get the full benefit of it. This is the work of the whole country. It is not the work of any one party. Therefore, we have held discussions with all parties. I urge all parties to come together and unanimously support this cause for women’s rights,” he said.

Modi also sought to assuage fears over the issue from the rally stage.

“From Cooch Behar, I again assure all the states of the country that those states which have done good work in population control will suffer no loss in terms of seats. Everyone will benefit. The participation and rights of all states will remain protected,” he said.