New Delhi, April 16 (NationPress) Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi expressed her concerns on Thursday regarding the Centre’s decision to associate women’s reservation with delimitation, labeling it a carefully orchestrated ‘conspiracy’ aimed at modifying electoral boundaries for specific political gains.

Her sharp critique included a witty ‘Chanakya’ jab directed at Home Minister Amit Shah, which elicited a smile from him.

In response to the Prime Minister’s claims about a delay of more than three decades in enacting reservations for women, she highlighted significant milestones when the Congress party proactively worked to enhance women's representation in legislative assemblies.

She pointed out that the introduction of 33 percent reservation for women in municipalities and urban governance was pioneered by the Congress government under Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, setting the stage for increased political involvement of women at the grassroots level.

“In 2010, during Dr. Manmohan Singh’s tenure, the women’s reservation bill successfully passed in the Rajya Sabha, and in 2018, Rahul Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging its implementation by 2019,” she noted in the Lok Sabha.

Priyanka Gandhi demanded clarity from the government on why the current form of women’s reservation cannot be enacted, suggesting that two-thirds of the 543 seats should be allocated for women.

She criticized the Prime Minister for not presenting the complete narrative, asserting that while he attempts to portray the BJP as an advocate for women's rights, the reality diverges significantly from his assertions.

Offering a piece of advice, she quipped, “Those who provoke women often find themselves ensnared by them,” drawing laughter from the House.

Her ‘Chanakya’ comment regarding the Home Minister captured attention as she alleged that the women’s reservation was strategically intertwined with delimitation and that there was a systematic plan to push it through Parliament.

“If Chanakya were alive today, he would be astonished,” she remarked, referring to the government's approach to the women’s reservation bill and the associated political messaging.

She stated that the ongoing debate is not merely about women’s reservations but is fundamentally about delimitation, which she believes threatens the nation’s federal integrity.

Describing it as a politically motivated initiative to alter state boundaries under the guise of women’s reservation, she questioned the sudden urgency to connect reservation with delimitation when the same bill in 2023 required a Census and Delimitation before implementing women’s reservation.

She indicated that the bill reeks of conspiracy and asserted that the government is hastily pushing the bills through Parliament to prevent benefits from reaching marginalized and backward communities.

“While Parliament’s strength is claimed to increase by about 50 percent, it is baffling that the proposed amendment lacks any mention of the processes and procedures needed to enact such a significant change to the Constitution,” she stated.

“This is an assault on the Constitution. Should this bill pass, it would signify the demise of democracy,” she warned.

Priyanka also accused the Centre of attempting to gain public favor by proposing women’s reservation while simultaneously undermining the constitutional framework through covert tactics.

“We firmly oppose all three bills and amendments put forth by the government. I urge the Prime Minister to make the right choice, and we will extend our support,” she concluded.