On Sunday, Dharmendra Yadav, a member of the Samajwadi Party, declared that the party will exert all its efforts to oppose the Constitutional Amendment Bill (131st Amendment) aimed at altering the redistricting process in the Lok Sabha.
This bill proposes to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 850 and includes a provision for 33% reservation for women in assemblies under the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023.’
Following an all-party meeting and ahead of the Parliament’s monsoon session, Yadav questioned the ruling BJP’s intentions, asking why they lack faith in the democratic framework that has been in place for 75 years. He expressed concern over the BJP’s eagerness to introduce the redistricting bill, emphasizing that Samajwadi Party activists, along with Akhilesh Yadav, have consistently opposed this bill and will continue to do so with full force.
Yadav also commented on the Women’s Reservation Bill, which has already been passed, stating that the real issue is not about women’s reservation; rather, it is being used to complicate the redistricting process. The Constitutional Amendment Bill had previously failed in April after receiving 298 votes. Furthermore, he called for ‘strictest action’ regarding allegations of misappropriation of funds related to the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
He noted that the sentiments of those who follow Sanatan Dharma have been hurt, and there should be stringent action against all involved in this matter. Yadav expressed hope that opposition parties will raise this issue in the upcoming parliamentary session. Congress MP K. Suresh mentioned several issues to be raised in Parliament, highlighting that the theft case in Ayodhya is among the most significant, along with concerns regarding the NEET examination. Each of these issues is crucial from the public’s perspective.