CWC Calls For Passage Of Women's Reservation Bill, Voices Concern Over Bill On Appointment Of CEC

The CWC demanded that the Women's Reservation Bill be passed during the special parliamentary session and voiced concern about the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment etc) Bill.

The Congress party demanded the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill during the upcoming special session of Parliament in a resolution adopted at the first meeting of the reconstituted Congress Working Committee (CWC). In a strongly worded statement, the CWC alleged that the parliamentary process, which should entail thorough debate and scrutiny, has been eroded, leading to the hurried passage of significant legislation without proper examination and discussion, news agency PTI reported.

The committee specifically voiced concern about the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment etc) Bill to be introduced in Parliament, expressing fears that it could jeopardise the independence of the Election Commission in ensuring free and fair elections.

Reiterating its stance, the CWC firmly demanded that the Women's Reservation Bill be passed during the special session. This demand comes in the wake of renewed calls for the bill's passage and speculation that it may be taken up during the upcoming five-day special session of Parliament.

The bill, which was originally passed in the Rajya Sabha approximately 11 years ago during the tenure of the Manmohan Singh-led government, remains viable since the Upper House of Parliament does not dissolve.

Condolence Resolution On Manipur, CWC Asks Centre To Declare Himachal Floods As National Disaster

Additionally, the Congress Working Committee addressed other matters of national significance. It passed condolence resolutions in response to two grave situations.

Firstly, regarding the ethnic violence in Manipur, the CWC expressed deep sorrow and concern for the ongoing crisis. The resolution noted that the people of Manipur have suffered immense devastation, with over 200 lives lost, more than 500 injured, and over 5,000 houses set ablaze in arson-related incidents. It highlighted the dire conditions in which over 60,000 displaced people continue to live in relief camps across the state. The resolution lamented the disruption of education due to school and college closures and emphasized the perilous situation faced by a majority of the state's population across various communities, PTI reported.

Secondly, the CWC extended condolences and solidarity to the people of Himachal Pradesh in response to a natural disaster that has struck the state. Unprecedented rainfall, devastating floods, and landslides have claimed about 430 lives, with 39 individuals still missing. The state has incurred massive losses, estimated at over Rs 13,000 crore, including destruction of property and critical infrastructure, as well as significant agricultural losses.

The CWC called upon the Centre to declare this a national disaster and provide financial assistance.

The members also remembered the late veteran leader and former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy for his invaluable contributions to the Congress and the state of Kerala.

This meeting marked the first gathering of the newly reconstituted Congress Working Committee, with the party leadership focusing on devising a comprehensive strategy for success in the upcoming assembly elections in five states and the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Notable leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and other prominent figures, participated in the deliberations.