Congress alleges MCC violation over govt's special session on women’s quota, delimitation

Lashing out at the government over its decision to call a "special session" for passing bills related to amending the women's quota law and delimitation to "grab political mileage" in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, the Congress on Friday (March 3) accused it of committing a "gross violation" of the model code of conduct (MCC).

Warning on delimitation impact

Speaking to reporters, Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said that the Centre’s move to hasten the delimitation exercise would have "dangerous consequences", adding that his party does not want “any disturbance” in the present differentials and relative strength.

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Elaborating further, Ramesh said that the Centre did nothing for 30 months about the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, and to take "double credit" in the election season.

Ramesh said that although there has been no official communication or proposal from the government's side on delimitation, off the record, the Congress has come to know that there would be a proportionate increase in Lok Sabha seats.

Regional imbalance concerns

Refuting the Centre’s claim that it would be proportional, Ramesh said that in reality, smaller states and those in the South, Northeast, and West would suffer massively.

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With the proposed Bill, Uttar Pradesh's strength will zoom to 120 while Kerala will crawl up to at best 40, he claimed.

"So what we have heard unofficially this would be very dangerous for many states," he said.

"The only objective of this special session is to grab political mileage to influence polls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Could it not have been called after 15 days?" he added.

Opposition strategy ahead of April 16

Leaders of the Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, will hold consultations with senior MPs and other opposition parties ahead of April 16 to firm up a strategy.

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Ramesh said the government was engaged in "narrative management" and pushing the session as it was losing political and foreign policy ground. He asserted that the Centre should not act in haste and instead call an all-party meeting after April 29.

Session timing and legislative push

His remarks come as Parliament is set to reconvene on April 16, with the government keen to pass bills, including those linked to the women’s reservation law and a proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816. The opposition has alleged the move is aimed at gaining political advantage during elections.

Detailing exchanges with Kiren Rijiju, Ramesh said, "After two days on March 26, Rijiju wrote to Kharge ji that Congress should meet us and hold talks on the constitutional amendment."

(With agency inputs)