Law Minister Arjun Meghwal challenges Rahul Gandhi on Quota Bill

Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has provided insights into why the Women's Reservation Bill won't be implemented before 2026 and took a dig at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi during his explanation. He raised the question of whether Rahul Gandhi would oppose the premature implementation of the Bill if it reserved the seat he represents for a woman.

Minister Meghwal referred to the 42nd Constitution amendment, which has frozen the delimitation process until 2026. Delimitation is the process of defining the boundaries of constituencies based on census data, ensuring fair representation. After delimitation, it is anticipated that the Lok Sabha's number of MPs will increase to over 800 representatives.

Rahul Gandhi's representation

Meghwal mentioned that Rahul Gandhi is an MP from Wayanad, and if his seat were reserved for a woman, he might criticize such a decision. Therefore, a delimitation committee will decide which seat will be reserved for women to avoid controversies.

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The Law Minister also criticized the Congress party for introducing the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha when they were in power but subsequently dropping it when it came to the Lok Sabha. He expressed confusion regarding why the Congress first tabled the bill in the Rajya Sabha in 2009 and then introduced it in the Lok Sabha. However, the Congress withdrew the bill to safeguard its government.

Bill's provisions and opposition concerns

The Women's Reservation Bill guarantees at least one-third (33%) reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. It was passed in both houses of Parliament during a special session held from September 18 to 22. One article of the 108th Constitution (Amendment) Bill stipulates that the reservation will be enacted after the completion of the delimitation process following a decennial census.

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While supporting the bill, the opposition has raised concerns about the provision related to delimitation, viewing it as a tactic by the BJP government, especially in light of the upcoming general election. The Congress has called for the removal of the delimitation clause from the bill, labeling it a "diversionary tactic."