Govt 'Operating Under A Veil Of Secrecy': Congress Says As It Welcomes Cabinet Nod For Women's Quota

While welcoming the Union Cabinet's approval of the Women's Reservation Bill, the Congress party criticised the Modi government for "operating under a veil of secrecy".

File Photo of Rajya Sabha MP and General Secretary in-charge Communications Jairam Ramesh

Source : PTI

The Congress party on Monday welcomed the Union Cabinet's decision to approve the Women's Reservation Bill, but criticised the Modi government for "operating under a veil of secrecy". The bill was approved in a Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet, following the inaugural session of Parliament's five-day special session, sources told ABP News. Prime Minister Modi had earlier promised "historic decisions" during this session, setting the stage for a series of significant policy developments.

General Secretary in-charge Communications for the Congress party, Jairam Ramesh, articulated the party's stance, stating, "It's been a long-standing demand of the Congress party to implement women's reservation. We welcome the reported decision of the Union Cabinet and await the details of the Bill. This could have very well been discussed in the all-party meeting before the Special Session, and consensus could have been built instead of operating under a veil of secrecy."

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha said that the Modi government has "a historic opportunity to pass it single-handedly".

"Let them all take the credit. That is not the issue. While taking the credit, they all should support and vote for the bill and not object to it. When we look at the history of women's reservation bill, at different timelines, different parties have objected on various issues. This (Central) government has a historic opportunity to pass it single-handedly," she told news agency PTI when asked about parties claiming credit for the legislation.

Union Minister of State for Food Processing Industries and Jal Shakti, Prahlad Singh Patel, expressed his support in a now-deleted tweet, "Only the Modi government had the moral courage to fulfill the demand for women's reservation, which was proved by the approval of the cabinet. Congratulations to PM Narendra Modi and congratulations to the PM Modi government."

Tamil Nadu BJP leader and actress Kushboo Sundar lauded the move as a "historic moment" and wrote, "What a historical moment!! Women reservation bill cleared! Where our PM @narendramodi ji is working for women empowerment, others keep bringing women down. Nari shakti is the way forward. Women have to be in the forefront, they are the back bone of our nation."

"Only a true son of the nation understands the pain of a woman. And our H'ble PM proves that yet again. Heartfelt thank you to Pradhan Mantri ji.  Women of our nation our indebted to you for always standing by her and allowing her to grow and fly high," she added thanking PM Modi.

Sources suggest that the Women's Reservation Bill may be presented in Parliament on Wednesday, September 20. Additionally, there are indications that Prime Minister Modi might address a large gathering of women, either on Wednesday or shortly thereafter, in Delhi or a city in Rajasthan. The exact details of this program remain confidential at this time.

On the eve of the special session, various political parties, both from the ruling NDA and the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc, vociferously advocated for the passage of the women's reservation bill. The government assured parliamentarians during an all-party meeting that an appropriate decision would be made at the right time.