Assembly special session tomorrow to discuss women’s reservation

New Delhi: A special session of the Delhi assembly will be held on April 28 to discuss the women’s reservation issue after a bill related to this was defeated in the Lok Sabha by the Opposition.BJP has accused the Opposition of betraying women.A Delhi Assembly secretariat statement said the session will start on Tuesday at 11 am in the Assembly Hall. Officials said it is likely to be held for a day, but could be extended if needed. The Vidhan Sabha could bring a censure motion against the Opposition for not allowing the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, an official said.To implement 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures through a Constitution amendment bill, the Centre had aimed to be increase the Lok Sabha strength from 543 to 816 to bring the law before the 2029 parliamentary elections, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 census.

Three bills were tabled. The Opposition parties, which voted against the bills, alleged that the real agenda of the Centre was to carry out delimitation before the caste census.In the division of votes, 298 members voted in support of the bill, 230 against. Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes -- two-thirds majority -- to be passed.Other BJP ruled states planning a similar exercise are Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.