Women Cong members demand 33% reservation in Parliament

Demanding 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures, the members of the State Women Congress wing organised a convention in Mangaluru on Tuesday.

Apsara Reddy, national general secretary of All India Mahila Congress (AIMC), said, “On the one hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks on ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padao’, on the other hand, the government is doing injustice to women, by not passing the women reservation bill in the Lok Sabha.”

She added, “As a transgender, I have experienced several bad experiences in my life. Congress has given me an equal opportunity. AICC President Rahul Gandhi is against sexual discrimination. There is a need to defeat Modi who has done injustice to women in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.”

Apsara came down heavily on BJP Mahila Morcha state president Bharathi Shetty for stating that there was no need for reservation for women.

All India Mahila Congress general secretary Janet D’Souza said, “Narendra Modi had promised to implement women’s reservation bill five years ago within 100 days of coming to power. However, the demands have not been fulfilled.”

Speaking further, she said, “It was UPA government which ensured 50% reservation for women in local bodies.”

Janet also alleged that the BJP leaders are involved in the sexual assault on women and children.

AICC secretary Vishnunathan said, “Rahul Gandhi has already announced that women’s reservation will be introduced if Congress comes to power. The Congress is committed to it.”

Former minister Ramanath Rai said, “Only the Congress had given power to women. In spite of the NDA government coming to power, the atrocity on women has not reduced.”

State Women Congress wing President Pushpa Amarnath said, “About 50% of the population in the country is women. In spite of it, 33% reservation for women has not been introduced.”

She added, “We believe in equal rights for women. We have come to the street to fight for our rights.”

In the name of “Mahila Adhikara Yatre’, the State Women Congress wing members formed a human chain from the District Congress Bhavana at Kadri Mallikatte to Kadri Maidan on the occasion.

District In-charge Minister U T Khader and DCC President Harish Kumar flagged off the Yatre.

MLA Sowmya Reddy, former MLA Shakunthala Shetty and others were present.