Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 17: Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, has urged the Modi government to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the implementation of the 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies.

The request comes after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju reached out to Kharge and other party leaders for consultations, amid the government’s plan to introduce a Constitution amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha as early as next Monday.

In his response, Kharge noted that Rijiju had already spoken to him and said that both he and Congress Rajya Sabha Chief Whip Jairam Ramesh had conveyed the party’s stand that a broader consultation was needed. He emphasised that an all-party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi should be held at the earliest to chalk out a clear roadmap.

Referring to the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in September 2023, Kharge pointed out that despite unanimous approval in Parliament, progress on its implementation has been slow. He said the government is now seeking discussions on the modalities of executing the landmark constitutional amendment.

Opposition parties have expressed reservations about holding separate discussions with the government, terming the outreach “selective,” and have instead pushed for a collective forum. They believe the Centre may be attempting to build consensus as it lacks the required two-thirds majority in both Houses to amend provisions related to delimitation, which is linked to the implementation of the quota.