UBT Sena MP Anil Desai accuses Centre of delaying women's reservation, says "they hold different agenda"

Speaking to reporters on the issue, Anil Desai on Thursday said there was no reason for anyone to object to women's reservation and alleged that those harbouring ulterior motives or pursuing a different agenda were responsible for repeatedly stalling the process, which, he said, affected the public and women in particular.

"There is no reason for anyone to object to this. Those who harbour ulterior motives or hold a different agenda are the ones constantly stalling and delaying the process; they alone are responsible for this charade being played out, a charade that affects the public, and specifically women. We, the entire opposition, have spoken unanimously, both inside and outside Parliament, demanding that this be implemented fully by 2029. But there is no real intention to do so; had there been, it would have been done long ago," Desai said.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Arvind Sawant questioned the framing of the issue as women's reservation, pointing out that the legislation had already been passed in 2023. He alleged that the government's intention was to implement delimitation.

"The law was passed in 2023. Why do you use the term women's reservation? That was passed a long time ago. This is not 'women's reservation.' They intend to implement delimitation..." Sawant said.

The remarks come amid the ongoing political debate over women's reservation and the proposed delimitation exercise, with the implementation of the 33 per cent quota for women in the Lok Sabha and state Legislative Assemblies linked to a census and a subsequent delimitation exercise.

The Congress leader claimed that the Centre was convening a three-day special session to pass the proposed bills. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Home Minister Amit Shah and accused him of attempting to push the Centres delimitation agenda.

The Delimitation Bill aimed at increasing the number of seats in the Lok Sabha up to 850. The ruling party alliance NDA, led by BJP, says delimitation is a constitutional necessity to reflect new census data and to implement 33% women's reservation in the Lok Sabha.

The opposition INDIA bloc led by Congress demands immediate 33% women's reservation in the current 543-member Lok Sabha and opposes linking it to delimitation.

Earlier in August, the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which began on July 20, was adjourned sine die after 19 sittings spread over 25 days.A session in which 12 Bills were passed, but only one, the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Amendment Bill, 2026, was actually debated in the House.

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on April 16 to expand the strength of the Lower House to 850 seats and expedite the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill passed in 2023.However, the Bill failed to secure the constitutionally required special two-thirds majority of members present and voting in Parliament and was consequently not passed. (ANI)