\n<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the proposal to increase Lok Sabha seats, saying he is \u201cbulldozing\u201d the move that will work more to the benefit of larger and populous states and is nothing but a \u201cWeapon of Mass Distraction (WMD)\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The opposition party also alleged that the prime minister is \u201choodwinking\u201d the people of the country and is making misleading statements that are meant to deceive.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, \u201cThe PM is upto his usual tricks of making misleading statements that are meant to deceive. He says South Indian states will not be hurt in any way if the strength of the Lok Sabha is increased by 50% and the number of seats of each state in the Lok Sabha is also increased by 50%,.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is hoodwinking the people of the country in which the PM has unique expertise,\u201d Ramesh said.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
For example, the difference between UP\u2019s and Kerala\u2019s seats in the Lok Sabha is now 60 and Modi\u2019s proposal will increase it to 90, he said.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Similarly, the difference between UP and Tamil Nadu will increase from 41 to at least 61, Ramesh said and added that such examples can be multiplied.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Modi is bulldozing a proposal that will work more to the benefit of larger and populous states since their already large numbers will get further magnified,\u201d the Congress leader said.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
It is not just South India but states like Punjab and Haryana and those in the North East that will also see their relative influence decline, he argued.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe nation is facing a serious economic and foreign policy crisis. All that the PM is bothered about is pushing through an increase in the strength of the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabhas without meaningful consultations and widespread public debate. This is nothing but a Weapon of Mass Distraction (WMD),\u201d Ramesh said.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
His remarks come a day after Prime Minister Modi said that the Budget session of Parliament has been extended for three days so that the law enacted in 2023 for providing 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies can be implemented from 2029.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Thursday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, while speaking in Rajya Sabha, had said the House will meet again soon to consider a key legislation.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have certain bills and important issues, and we have shared this with the opposition also. We are going to have a very important bill in the next two-three weeks,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
It later emerged that the Budget session of Parliament will reconvene on April 16 after a brief recess to pass bills to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 so that the women\u2019s reservation law can be implemented at the earliest.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Addressing an NDA election rally in Kerala, Modi said the government will ensure, during the April 16-18 Parliament sitting, a legal stamp that no state, whether it is Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, or Telangana, will see a reduction in Lok Sabha seats.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The prime minister said that the NDA government has given 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies through a law in 2023.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know why it will reconvene? The law we have passed for 33 per cent reservation for women, so that its benefits can begin from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, and 33 per cent of our sisters can sit in Parliament. For this, further legal provisions are needed,\u201d Modi said.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Women\u2019s Reservation Act was passed by Parliament in 2023. The provision to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies was brought by amending the Constitution, but it will come into effect after the completion of the delimitation exercise.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
If the proposal to implement the law even before the delimitation exercise actually materialises, another amendment to the Constitution will be required. The government is expected to amend the law to this effect in the three-day sitting of the Parliament.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The prime minister urged all parties that this is an issue related to women\u2019s empowerment, so they should, with an open mind and without any political calculations, fully support it and become partners in winning the trust of the country\u2019s mothers and sisters.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
He said that the government had invited members of Congress for discussions and hoped that they would come and agree with it.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Congress on Friday had alleged that the government has called a \u201cspecial session\u201d of Parliament for passing bills related to amending the women\u2019s quota law and delimitation to \u201cgrab political mileage\u201d in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu polls, which, it claimed, is a \u201cgross violation\u201d of the model code of conduct.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Asserting that the government\u2019s push for a rushed delimitation exercise would have \u201cdangerous consequences\u201d, Ramesh had said, \u201cWe do not want any disturbance in the present differentials and relative strength.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Congress had cautioned against any haste in amending the Constitution regarding delimitation of parliamentary and assembly constituencies, saying it is a sensitive matter and the government must tread carefully, otherwise the exercise might put several states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala at a significant disadvantage.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ramesh had said the government kept \u201csleeping\u201d for 30 months after the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, and now wants to take \u201cdouble credit\u201d in the election season.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
While the government is keen on passing the bills, including amending the Women\u2019s Reservation Act 2023, officially called Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, or Narishakti Vandan Adhiniyam, the opposition has accused the Centre of trying to hurriedly move for passing amendments to take political advantage in the state elections.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n