Trinamool MP June Maliah Critiques Timing of Women's Reservation Bill Amid State Elections
Synopsis
Trinamool Congress MP June Maliah questions the Central government's timing in introducing the Women's Reservation Bill while five states are preparing for Assembly elections. She believes the Bill should have been proposed during the Monsoon session instead.
Key Takeaways
June Maliah questions the timing of the Women's Reservation Bill .
The Bill could have been introduced during the Monsoon session .
West Bengal elections are set for April 23 and 29 .
Trinamool Congress has 38% women's representation .
Maliah views the Bill's timing as a political tactic by the BJP .
Kolkata, April 9 (NationPress) Trinamool Congress MP June Maliah expressed her concerns regarding the Central government's decision to introduce the Women's Reservation Bill during a time when five states are facing Assembly elections. She noted that the Bill, which is expected to be addressed when Parliament reconvenes on April 16 after its Budget session, could have been more appropriately introduced during the Monsoon session.
The main focus of the upcoming extended Budget session, lasting three days, will be the proposed changes to the Women's Reservation Act, 2023 (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam), formally recognized as the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act.
In an interview with IANS, Maliah remarked, "I fail to see the urgency behind introducing this (Bill) now, especially since the Budget session has just concluded and the Monsoon session is our next opportunity. They (the Centre) could have waited until the Monsoon session, especially given that five states are preparing for elections and a special Parliament session is scheduled from April 16 to 18."
West Bengal is slated to conduct its voting in a two-phase Assembly election on April 23 and 29.
Maliah expressed her appreciation to Trinamool Congress leader and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with the party's National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, for allowing her to address the Bill when Parliament resumes.
Nevertheless, she added, "This could have been postponed to a later date."
Regarding the issue of women's representation in West Bengal, Maliah stated, "Mamata Di (Banerjee) has already set the pace in this regard."
She also pointed out that the Bill is unlikely to significantly impact the Trinamool party, which already boasts 38 percent women's representation in Parliament. "In our state, women are already prioritized," she asserted.
Maliah characterized the Centre's timing for the Bill as a political maneuver. "With five states going to the polls now, it seems to me this is yet another tactic by the BJP," she expressed.
In relation to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the election-bound state, Maliah accused the BJP of facing backlash from the SIR process. "The voter list has seen 90 lakh names deleted, which has had a severe backlash on the BJP. Out of those, 5,750,000 are Hindu voters who have been removed. The implications are quite clear," she concluded.
Point of View
The objections raised by MP June Maliah highlight the political maneuvering often seen in the lead-up to elections. The timing of the Women's Reservation Bill raises questions about the motivations behind legislative proposals, especially when they coincide with critical electoral periods. This situation warrants careful scrutiny to ensure that legislative changes are pursued for genuine equality rather than political gain.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Women's Reservation Bill?
The Women's Reservation Bill aims to reserve a certain percentage of seats for women in legislative bodies, promoting gender equality in politics.
Why is the timing of the Bill controversial?
The Bill's introduction coincides with elections in five states, leading to accusations of political maneuvering by the Central government.
What percentage of seats does Trinamool Congress reserve for women?
The Trinamool Congress currently has 38 percent women's representation in Parliament.
What is the significance of the Monsoon session?
The Monsoon session of Parliament typically occurs after the Budget session and is considered a more suitable time for discussing significant legislative changes.
