![\"Delimitation](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130228039,imgsize-848009,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/130228039.jpg\" "\\"Delimitation")
<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday warned that the Centre\u2019s reported push on delimitation\u2014not women\u2019s reservation\u2014is the \u201creal issue\u201d behind the special Parliament session, calling it \u201cextremely dangerous\u201d and an \u201cassault\u201d on the Constitution.In an article published in The Hindu, Congress Rajya Sabha MP argued that any exercise to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha must be \u201cpolitically and not just arithmetically equitable\u201d, stressing that states which have performed better on population control must not be disadvantaged. <\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Delimitation Row Heats Up As Sonia Gandhi Slams Modi Govt Over Timing, Process Of Women’s Quota Bill<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n She also accused the government of rushing legislation during an ongoing election cycle in states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal to \u201cderive political advantage and place the Opposition on the defensive\u201d.\u201cThere can be only one reason for the extraordinary hurry,\u201d she said, alleging it was to gain political advantage. She further accused the prime minister of being \u201ceconomical with the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n Referring to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, Sonia noted that Parliament had already unanimously passed the law in September 2023, linking women\u2019s reservation to a future Census and delimitation exercise under Article 334-A.\u201cThe Opposition had not asked for this condition,\u201d she said, adding that Congress had pushed for implementation from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections itself. She questioned the reported move to amend the provision to enable implementation from 2029, asking why the government was making a \u201cU-turn\u201d after 30 months.She also pointed out that Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge had demanded immediate implementation, which the government declined.Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi echoed her concerns, stating that the risks of a \u201crushed delimitation\u201d were central to the debate.Sonia also highlighted that the law provides for \u201creservation within reservation\u201d for SCs and STs, and noted that a similar demand for OBC women\u2019s reservation had been raised during the 2023 debate.<\/p>\n Fomer Lok Sabha MP also linked the issue to delays in the Census, noting that the 2021 exercise had been postponed and that enumeration has only recently begun after a five-year delay. She added that the delay had deprived over 10 crore people of their legal entitlements under the National Food Security Act, 2013.She argued that claims that a caste census would slow down the process were unfounded, citing quicker surveys conducted by states like Bihar and Telangana. She also referenced statements by officials that most Census 2027 data would be available the same year due to its digital format, calling the government\u2019s urgency \u201chollow.\u201dAlleging inconsistency, she said the government had earlier rejected a caste census before later announcing it as part of Census 2027. \u201cThe Prime Minister\u2019s real intention now is to further delay and derail the caste census,\u201d she claimed.<\/p>\n The remarks come ahead of a special Parliament sitting from April 16 to 18, where amendments linked to women\u2019s reservation are expected. The government is also considering a separate delimitation bill, with projections suggesting Lok Sabha seats could increase from 543 to 816.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address a \u2018Nari Shakti Vandan Sammelan\u2019 in New Delhi, aimed at building support for enhancing women\u2019s representation in legislatures.Former Congress President said Opposition leaders had written thrice seeking an all-party meeting after April 29 to discuss the proposals, but the request was rejected. She criticised the government for instead resorting to op-eds and public outreach, calling it an \u201cunderhand tactic\u201d reflecting a \u201cmy way or the highway\u201d approach.She also argued that there is no urgency, noting that the Monsoon session begins in mid-July and that proposals could have been discussed then, after wider consultation and public debate.Sonia, however, maintained that the process being followed is \u201cdeeply flawed and anti-democratic,\u201d asserting that \u201creservation for women is not the issue here\u2026 the real issue is delimitation.\u201d“Reservation for women is not the issue here. That has already been settled. The real issue is delimitation which, based on the information unofficially available, is extremely dangerous and an assault on the Constitution itself,” Sonia wrote.<\/div>\n\nWomen\u2019s reservation \u2018not the issue\u2019, says Congress<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Census delay, caste count under fire<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
Govt pushes ahead with special session<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n