Bhubaneswar: Accusing the Congress of blocking enhanced political representation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday said those claiming victory should remember that this reflects the arrogance and short-sightedness of Congress.Addressing a press conference here, Majhi said women demonstrated excellence across sectors and constituted nearly half of India’s 140-crore population, making greater participation of women in Parliament and state assemblies essential.Alleging that Congress lacked commitment to women’s empowerment, the CM claimed that if the legislation was passed, nearly 272 women would have entered Lok Sabha. “The 17th of this month will go down as a ‘black day’ in the history of Indian democracy,” Majhi said.He asserted that the setback was not a defeat for women, but that of the opposition’s mindset. “The women of India will give them a befitting reply when they cast their votes in the coming elections,” the CM said.Highlighting the Centre’s position, Majhi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi repeatedly pledged to empower women and would ensure the implementation of the legislation. “Those who think they have blocked it are mistaken,” he added.Addressing the press conference, BJP’s New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj said the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was passed unanimously in Sept 2023. “At that time, all parties, including Congress, had expressed their agreement in favour of this Act,” Swaraj said.She said the PM wanted to implement women’s reservation from 2029, but the opposition stabbed the Matru Shakti of the country in the back. “The opposition parties want the role of women to remain limited only to polling booths,” she alleged.Swaraj said Congress always speaks of Bharat Ratna Dr Bhimrao Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Constitution, but when the time came to account for women’s rights, this party strangled the Constitution.“While the Matru Shakti of the country has been waiting for their rights for the past 40 years, the opposition knowingly raised various issues, indulged in petty politics, and did not allow this Act to be implemented,” she said.No immediate response was available from the Congress on the allegations made by the CM and BJP leaders.
