KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL — Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju launched a sharp attack on opposition parties during his visit to Kolkata, criticising them over the failure of the Women’s Reservation Bill and linking the development to the political situation in West Bengal.
Speaking in the city, Rijiju described Kolkata as one of the oldest and most important cities in India, especially in Eastern India, and said he had come to address a significant national issue. He highlighted that the Women’s Reservation Bill was one of the most important pieces of legislation discussed during the recent special session of Parliament.
Rijiju stated that the bill aimed to provide greater representation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, calling it a historic step toward strengthening women’s participation in governance. However, he подчеркнул that the bill could not be passed due to the government not having the required two-thirds majority.
He alleged that opposition parties were responsible for blocking the bill, and warned that the decision could have wider political consequences. According to him, the rejection of the bill marks the beginning of a political shift, particularly in West Bengal.
In a strong remark, Rijiju said that the defeat of the bill is just the beginning of what he described as the eventual defeat of the government led by Mamata Banerjee in the state. He suggested that public sentiment may turn against parties that opposed the legislation.
The Union Minister also claimed that there is a growing movement across the country against parties such as the Congress, DMK, Samajwadi Party, and the Trinamool Congress (TMC). He alleged that these parties collectively opposed a bill that was meant to empower women.
Rijiju further said that the government had attempted to build consensus on the issue, including reaching out to TMC leaders despite ideological differences. He claimed that despite these efforts, opposition parties chose not to support the bill.
Accusing them of acting against women’s interests, Rijiju said that by voting against the bill, these parties have taken a position that could affect their public image. He went on to label them as “anti-women,” reflecting the BJP’s sharp criticism following the bill’s failure.
His remarks come amid intense political exchanges between the ruling alliance and opposition parties after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to secure the required majority in the Lok Sabha.
Political observers note that the issue has now become a central theme in election campaigns, particularly in states like West Bengal, where both sides are using it to mobilise support and shape voter perception.
Kiren Rijiju’s statements highlight the BJP’s strategy of linking national legislative developments with state-level politics, while placing responsibility for the bill’s failure on opposition parties and framing it as a broader issue of women’s empowerment.
