New Delhi: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remarks on the women’s reservation bill, calling his address to the nation misleading and politically motivated.
In a statement, Banerjee said it was deeply unfortunate that the Prime Minister chose to mislead the country instead of addressing concerns with clarity. Her response followed the Prime Minister’s speech delivered a day after the Lok Sabha rejected a bill proposing 33 percent reservation for women in legislatures from 2029.
The Prime Minister had warned opposition parties that women across India would hold them accountable for blocking the bill. In response, Banerjee rejected claims that opposition parties stand against women’s representation. She said her party has consistently supported greater participation of women in politics.
Banerjee highlighted that the Trinamool Congress has one of the highest shares of women representatives. She stated that 37.9 percent of the party’s Lok Sabha members are women, while 46 percent of its Rajya Sabha nominees are women.
She argued that the core concern lies elsewhere. According to Banerjee, the central government aims to advance a delimitation exercise under the cover of women’s reservation. She alleged that women are being used as a shield to pursue a political agenda linked to electoral restructuring.
“The question of opposing women’s reservation does not arise,” she said, adding that her party’s record reflects its commitment to gender representation.
Banerjee maintained that the opposition’s stand focuses on protecting fair representation and preventing any move that alters political balance under the guise of reform. Her remarks add to the growing political debate following the bill’s defeat in Parliament.
