Congress alleges BJP wants a two-thirds majority to scrap reservation

The Congress has alleged that the BJP is desperate to gain a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha as it aims to have the numbers to abolish reservation by amending the Constitution.

Speaking to PTI, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that the saffron party’s first target is to push delimitation on the pretext of women's reservation, adding that its "real and ultimate target" is ending reservation altogether.

Ramesh further stated that if the Centre is really keen on women's reservation, it should implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam on the current strength of the Lok Sabha, 543, for the next general elections in 2029.

Congress targets BJP's plans

The senior Congress leader further alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah’s efforts to engineer splits in opposition parties are aimed at securing a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, which it claims the BJP needs to amend the Constitution and end reservation.

Also Read: Why delimitation Bills appear more ominous than originally thought

Ramesh linked recent defections to what he described as Shah’s humiliation in the Lok Sabha on April 17, when the government failed to pass Constitution amendment bills. "The single cause for this is the humiliation that the self-styled Chanakya of Indian politics suffered on the 17th of April in the Lok Sabha... He could not muster more than 298 votes," Ramesh said.

He alleged Shah is now pursuing “todh-phod ki rajniti” to reach a two-thirds majority. "They were asking for '400 paar' so that they can amend the Constitution to finish off reservation," he said, adding that splitting opposition parties is part of that strategy.

'Delimitation is first target'

Ramesh claimed the BJP’s immediate goal is delimitation, but its broader aim is to weaken reservation. "The ultimate objective is to end reservation as the Constitution has provided," he said, citing past remarks by RSS leaders and BJP figures.

Also Read: Three grounds on which delimitation laws may be challenged in court

He also argued that opposition parties opposed delimitation, not women’s reservation, during the April 17 vote. "All opposition parties unitedly voted against it," he said, accusing the government of misrepresenting their stance.

Ramesh questioned the credibility of the Election Commission in conducting delimitation and criticised plans to expand Lok Sabha seats. "In 500 odd MPs, they do not get a chance to speak and you want to get 815 MPs," he said.

‘Numbers still short’

He maintained that the BJP still lacks the numbers needed for constitutional amendments. "He still has a long way to go," Ramesh said, expressing confidence that the party will not secure a two-thirds majority.

The Constitution amendment bill was defeated with 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the required 352 votes.