Kolkata, April 9 (NationPress) Former Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani on Thursday criticized the Opposition parties, especially the Congress and the Trinamool Congress, for their lack of support regarding the discussions on the Women's Reservation Bill during the extended Budget session lasting three days. She pointed out that this occurs even though both parties are led by prominent female figures.

It is important to note that the Congress has key leaders such as Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, while the Trinamool Congress is headed by Mamata Banerjee.

During her address to IANS while campaigning in Rajarhat, Irani remarked, "The UPA government has historically failed to empower women politically. If they had desired change, they could have passed the Bill in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during their tenure."

She also responded to the Opposition's criticism regarding the three-day extension of the Budget session, which will primarily address the proposed amendments to the Women's Reservation Act, 2023 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam), officially termed the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act.

"It's ironic that both the Trinamool Congress and Congress are led by women... my party, although led by a male Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has successfully introduced and passed this Bill in both Houses while in power," she asserted.

Addressing the matter of illegal infiltration, which has been a recurring topic among other BJP leaders, Irani stated, "The Trinamool Congress relies on infiltrators to maintain its power, so they are currently anxious and perplexed as the central government has initiated a crackdown on illegal infiltration."

She alleged that the mother of a trainee doctor, who was reportedly raped and murdered at the state-run R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, was subjected to "insult."

"It is heartbreaking that the mother of the RG Kar victim has claimed she was insulted by Trinamool Congress thugs," she added.

Significantly, the victim's mother, Ratna Debnath, filed her nomination as a BJP candidate from the Panihati Assembly constituency on Thursday.

Furthermore, Irani challenged the female leaders of the Trinamool Congress regarding her statement.

"I would like to question the women leaders of the Trinamool Congress: when a mother, who has lost her daughter and is still seeking justice, attempts to exercise her democratic rights, why is she subjected to such humiliations by thugs?"

Additionally, she accused CM Banerjee of failing to support the victim. "Mamata Banerjee did not visit the victim. Public records suggest she backed those responsible for victimizing the trainee doctor and even tampered with evidence in the RG Kar case," Irani alleged.

Irani also commented on PM Modi's statements at a public rally in West Bengal on Thursday. The Prime Minister declared that every Trinamool Congress leader involved in corruption and the exploitation of common citizens in West Bengal will be identified and held accountable after May 4, the date the results of the upcoming two-phased Assembly elections will be made public.