BJP holds protest against Opposition after Women’s reservation bill collapse

NEW DELHI: BJP Lok Sabha MPs Hema Malini, Bansuri Swaraj and Kamaljeet Sehrawat on Saturday led a protest march towards the residence of leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, a day after the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill on women’s reservation failed to pass in the House, with the Congress-led INDIA bloc refusing to back the delimitation process linked to it.The BJP termed the Congress’ stand “anti-women”, raising slogans and holding placards after 230 opposition MPs voted against the bill, which required a two-thirds majority to be passed. In contrast, 298 members of the ruling NDA coalition supported it.The Congress clarified that it does not oppose women’s reservation, but the delimitation exercise tied to the bill, which proposes increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha from the existing strength of 543 to 850 seats. The grand old party and its allies alleged that the exercise is aimed at “weakening” the representation of southern states in the Lower House of Parliament.Malini, an actor-turned-politician, said, “They (the opposition) did not let the Bill be passed, so we are protesting here. Women across the country are part of this campaign. Despite all our efforts yesterday, they blocked the Bill… We are deeply upset. Women are protesting nationwide.”Swaraj, one of the BJP’s seven Lok Sabha MPs from Delhi, where the party holds all seven constituencies, accused Gandhi and the INDIA bloc of “betraying” women.“The entire opposition, especially LoP Gandhi, betrayed the women of this country yesterday. They backstabbed women. They want women’s role to be limited to polling booths. When it came to political representation, they chose their own interests and now face the anger of women,” she added.Sehrawat, another BJP MP from Delhi, said the government wanted to implement the Women’s Reservation Bill on a “priority” basis, but the INDIA bloc voted to defeat the legislation.Swaraj and Union minister Raksha Khadse were later detained by the Delhi Police.Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the nation at 8:30 pm and is expected to speak on the collapse of the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill, while targeting the opposition over its stand.