Bhubaneswar, April 19 (NationPress) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday criticized opposition parties, particularly the Congress, for obstructing the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, which aims to secure one-third reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. He stated that the women of India will respond decisively during the upcoming elections.

During a press conference, Majhi labeled April 17 as a dark day in the annals of Indian democracy, as it marked the day when opposition parties hindered the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

“April 17 stands as a black day in Indian democratic history, as the opposition, spearheaded by Congress, dashed the aspirations of millions of women across the nation, defeating the 131st constitutional amendment bill. They even celebrated this defeat as if it were a festival,” remarked CM Majhi.

He emphasized that this setback is not a defeat for women but rather a reflection of the arrogance and shortsightedness of the opposition. The Chief Minister asserted that India's women will respond to this betrayal by the opposition during the electoral process.

Majhi compared the opposition's celebration following the defeat of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to the jubilation of the Congress Party during the imposition of the Emergency on June 25, 1975.

He further accused the opposition parties of merely paying lip service to women's empowerment, suggesting that their actions often contradict their public statements regarding women’s rights and respect.

In his remarks, CM Majhi specifically called out Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, asserting that despite being women themselves, they opposed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam.

BJP leader and MP Bansuri Swaraj, speaking at the same press conference, indicated that the Prime Minister had aimed for the early implementation of women's reservation in time for the upcoming elections, but the opposition's actions thwarted this intention and betrayed the women of the nation.

She also criticized the Trinamool Congress, noting that despite having a female Chief Minister in Mamata Banerjee, the party failed to support the initiative when it was crucial.

Regarding the delimitation bill, Swaraj explained that the government had proposed using the 2011 Census to expedite the process and suggested increasing seats by up to 50% to ensure equitable representation for all states.

She highlighted that the implementation of women’s reservation is contingent upon delimitation, as it requires identifying constituencies based on current population dynamics.