Priyanka Gandhi Backs Women’s Reservation Bill but Questions BJP’s Intent, Says ‘Even Chanakya Would Be Surprised’

Priyanka Gandhi Questions BJP’s Intent While Backing Women’s Reservation Bill

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday extended full support to the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha but sharply questioned the intent of the Centre, accusing the ruling side of turning a historic reform into a political strategy.

Speaking during the debate in Parliament, Priyanka Gandhi said there should be no doubt that the Congress party firmly supports reservation for women, but added that the larger issue was about ensuring genuine representation and honest commitment towards women’s empowerment.

Taking a swipe at the BJP, she said the political manoeuvring around the legislation was so striking that “even Chanakya would be surprised” if he witnessed what was happening.

‘Women Cannot Be Misled’: Priyanka Targets BJP Over Political Credit

Priyanka Gandhi criticised the government’s approach to the Women’s Reservation Bill, saying that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi claimed he was not seeking credit, women across the country could see through the political messaging.

She argued that the issue was too important to be reduced to a contest over political credit and said the government’s intent behind the bill deserved scrutiny.

According to Priyanka, the debate should not be about which party gets recognition, but whether the law genuinely advances women’s representation in legislatures.

Congress Highlights Its Past Efforts on Women’s Reservation

During her speech, Priyanka Gandhi highlighted the Congress party’s earlier efforts to push for women’s reservation, recalling that the bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha in 2010 under the leadership of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, but failed to secure consensus in the Lok Sabha.

She also referred to Rahul Gandhi writing to the Prime Minister in 2018, urging that the women’s reservation proposal be implemented before the 2019 elections.

Priyanka suggested that while Rahul Gandhi may be criticised publicly, his recommendations were often acknowledged later in policy decisions.

Congress Traces Women’s Reservation to Historic Reforms

Going beyond recent political developments, Priyanka Gandhi said the roots of women’s reservation in India stretch back to the freedom movement.

She referred to Motilal Nehru, saying his 1928 constitutional report proposed fundamental rights that laid the foundation for women’s equal political participation.

She also cited the 1931 Karachi Congress session under Vallabhbhai Patel, where equal political rights for women were recognised as part of the national movement.

According to her, these milestones proved that the vision for women’s equality was embedded in India’s democratic journey long before the current legislation.

Priyanka Counters BJP’s Historical Claims

Priyanka Gandhi also challenged the Prime Minister’s remarks that opposition forces had stalled women’s reservation for decades.

She said the BJP often claims the bill was delayed by unnamed political opponents, but according to her, the BJP itself had opposed the proposal in earlier years.

She credited former Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao with taking the first major legislative step by introducing reservation for women in local bodies through constitutional amendments.

That move, she said, opened the door for broader women’s representation in India’s political institutions.

Political Battle Over Women’s Reservation Intensifies

Priyanka Gandhi’s remarks added to the growing political confrontation around the Women’s Reservation Bill, with both the BJP and Congress attempting to shape the narrative over who truly championed women’s empowerment.

While the Congress reiterated its support for the legislation, it accused the government of using the reform for political advantage.

With the Women’s Reservation Bill emerging as one of the biggest legislative and political issues in Parliament, the debate over its intent, ownership and implementation is expected to intensify in the coming days.

1. Did Priyanka Gandhi support the Women’s Reservation Bill?
Yes, Priyanka Gandhi said the Congress fully supports women’s reservation but questioned the government’s political intent behind the bill.

2. What did Priyanka Gandhi say about Chanakya?
She remarked that even Chanakya would be surprised by the political strategy surrounding the Women’s Reservation Bill.

3. What was Priyanka Gandhi’s criticism of the BJP?
She accused the BJP of seeking political credit while presenting the bill as a women’s empowerment measure.

4. What historical references did Priyanka Gandhi mention?
She referred to Motilal Nehru, the 1931 Karachi Congress session, and Congress governments’ earlier efforts on women’s reservation.

5. Why is the Women’s Reservation Bill politically significant?
It has become a major issue because parties are debating not only the law but also the political motives behind its timing and implementation.