New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday addressed a public rally in Tamil Nadu’s Ponneri. He used the opportunity to attack the BJP_AIADMK alliance in the state. The 2 parties are set to fight the upcoming elections together. Gandhi said that the AIADMK was just a mask for hiding the BJP. He attacked the Dravidian Party, saying that it had lost its integrity.
AIADMK just a hollow shell: Rahul Gandhi
Speaking at the rally, Gandhi described the AIADMK as a “hollow shell.” He said that the party once known for its great tradition of defending Tamil Nadu, like the DMK, had died long back.” He added, “The AIADMK (was) eaten up from within by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.”
The Opposition leader then went on to attack the government over the Women’s Reservation Bill, which was defeated in the Lok Sabha on Friday. He said, “In so-called Women’s Bill, delimitation was hidden; idea was to reduce Tamil Nadu’s representation in ‘Union of India. BJP-led Centre brought new Bill on Apr 16, said they were trying to pass women’s bill, but it was passed in 2023. Delimitation move by BJP was to weaken strength of southern states, small states, north eastern states.”
One must note that the Women’s Reservation Bill brought in by the NDA government, fell flat in the Lok Sabha, after failing to garner 2/3rd majority in the House. The Bill required a Constitutional Amendment and there needed to be passed with a 2/3rd majority and not just a simple majority.
The Opposition has alleged that the government was trying to push for delimitation, in the guise of Women’s Reservation. They called the move “unconstitutional.” When the Bill was voted upon, while 298 members supported the Bill, 230 MPs voted against it.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill for reservation of seats for women, would have been implemented from the 2029 General Elections.
Assembly Elections in states
A special session of the Parliament was called by the government, amid the ongoing campaign and voting for Assembly Elections in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, West Bengal and Puducherry. While Assam, Kerala and Puducherry have already voted, elections in Tamil Nadu are scheduled for April 23, while West Bengal will vote in 2 phases, on April 23 and April 29.
The results of the elections are set to be announced on May 4, 2026.