NEW DELHI — Congress MP Akhilesh Prasad Singh has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation, questioning both the intent behind the speech and the handling of the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament.
Speaking in Delhi, Singh argued that there was overwhelming support for the Women’s Reservation Bill when it was passed in 2023, noting that nearly all participating Members of Parliament had backed the legislation. He подчеркнул that around 498 out of 500 MPs supported the bill at that time, reflecting a rare moment of political consensus across party lines.
However, he pointed out that support significantly declined in the recent vote, dropping to around 298 MPs. According to Singh, this sharp fall in numbers raises serious questions about what changed between the earlier passage and the current attempt to amend and move the bill forward.
He attributed this shift to the introduction of amendments, particularly the linkage with delimitation, which he said complicated the issue and reduced support. Singh maintained that no political party is fundamentally opposed to women’s reservation, but the way the bill was structured this time created divisions that did not exist earlier.
The Congress leader also questioned the timing of key decisions related to the bill. Referring to the President’s assent, he asked why the bill was signed late at night shortly before the recent developments, suggesting that the urgency behind the move raises doubts about the government’s intentions.
He further argued that if there was no political motive, the government could have waited and introduced the bill after the elections, allowing for a more transparent and consensus-driven approach. According to him, the sequence of events indicates that political considerations played a significant role.
Singh was also critical of the Prime Minister’s address to the nation, describing it as more akin to a campaign speech than a formal communication meant to address the country’s concerns. He said that the platform of a national address carries great significance and should be used responsibly to present clear policies and direction.
He added that the tone and content of the speech did not align with the expectations from such an address, and suggested that it appeared to be politically motivated. Singh even remarked that opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, do not have access to similar platforms to present their views, raising concerns about fairness in public communication.
The remarks come amid an ongoing political debate following the failure of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, which aimed to advance the implementation of 33 percent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies.
Akhilesh Prasad Singh’s comments highlight the opposition’s position that while there is broad agreement on women’s empowerment, the government’s approach—particularly the linkage with delimitation and the timing of decisions—has led to unnecessary controversy and a breakdown of consensus.
