New Delhi: Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday said in the Lok Sabha that the issue of women’s reservation is not limited to passing a Bill but ensuring real representation and empowerment.
Speaking during a debate in Parliament, she said the idea of reserving seats for women has deep historical roots. She attributed its early push to Motilal Nehru and stressed that the effort has evolved over decades.
Questions over political credit
Priyanka Gandhi said the current debate should not focus only on which party deserves credit. She said multiple leaders and governments have contributed to advancing the idea of women’s reservation.
She took a swipe at the central government and referred to statements by PM Modi. She said that while the Prime Minister claims he does not seek credit, women cannot be misled. She added that the intent behind the Bill must be examined beyond political messaging.
Recalling earlier attempts
She pointed to efforts made during previous Congress-led governments. She said that under Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010 but could not clear the Lok Sabha due to lack of consensus.
Priyanka Gandhi also said that Rahul Gandhi had written to the Prime Minister in 2018, urging implementation of the women’s reservation Bill by 2019.
Comments in Parliament
“In 2010, under the leadership of the late Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, the Congress Party again attempted to provide reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies. It was even passed in the Rajya Sabha, but consensus failed in the Lok Sabha. In 2018, Rahul Gandhi wrote a letter to PM Modi, stating that this women’s reservation should be implemented by 2019. I suspect the Prime Minister may mock Rahul Gandhi here, but he considers his words when he returns home,” she said.
She said the larger goal should remain ensuring meaningful participation of women in governance rather than focusing only on legislative milestones.