In an exclusive interview with India Today, senior Congress leader Margaret Alva criticised the central government over the delay in implementing the Women’s Reservation Bill. Alva, who chaired the 1987 committee that paved the way for women’s reservation in Panchayats, questioned the government’s motives for tying the implementation of the bill to the next census and delimitation. She asked, “What is this sinister game the government is trying to play? The women of India can’t be fooled like this.” Alva accused the ruling party of playing politics ahead of assembly elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, stating they are trying to divert attention and manipulate seat allocations. She emphasised that the legislation was already passed in 2023 and demanded its immediate implementation without additional conditions. Dismissing claims of a lack of political will within the Congress, Alva reiterated that her party has consistently championed the cause and is ready for the quota to be applied immediately across all states.
