NDA firm on women’s quota rollout by 2029: Varma

Union Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma on Thursday said the Centre has accorded highest priority to women’s empowerment and is committed to implementing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies by 2029.

Addressing the media, Mr. Varma accused the Congress and its allies of maintaining a “double standard” on the Women’s Reservation Bill. He said the NDA government has consistently advanced women-focused reforms, including the landmark ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’, aimed at strengthening women’s representation in governance.

He said previous governments for nearly 30 years had only made promises on women’s reservation without delivering results. In contrast, he credited the Narendra Modi-led government with introducing and passing the legislation in 2023, describing it as a major milestone in women’s political empowerment.

Mr. Varma alleged that efforts to operationalise the 33 per cent quota from 2029 were obstructed in Parliament by the Congress and its allies. He claimed such opposition had caused disappointment among women across the country.

Responding to concerns that southern States could be impacted, he dismissed the argument and said blocking the Bill itself amounted to injustice to all regions.

TDP leader Gadde Anuradha, who was present, held previous governments responsible for India’s poor global ranking in women’s empowerment indicators.

Jana Sena leader Pothireddy Sunitha said inclusive development is possible only when women participate in decision-making and reiterated the coalition’s commitment to the cause.

BJP State general secretary Lakshmi Prasanna, Mahila Morcha president Nishidha Raju, and media in-charge Kilari Dileep were also present.