New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra declared the failure of the amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandhan Adhiniyam a “victory for democracy” on Saturday. She accused the central government of trying to undermine the country’s federal structure under the guise of promoting women’s reservations.
During a press conference in the capital, Priyanka expressed pride in the unity of the Opposition, stating, “This was a win for the Constitution, our nation, and the collaboration among opposition parties. This was clearly evident in the reactions of the ruling party leaders.”
She highlighted that the Opposition does support women’s reservations but criticized the government’s intentions behind the proposed constitutional amendment. “Our objection is not against women’s reservation but against the government’s aim to cling to power indefinitely. The people recognize their true motives,” she explained.
“What happened yesterday was a monumental win for democracy. The attempt by the government to disrupt the federal structure and weaken democracy has been thwarted. This is a significant setback for the Modi-led government, which they have labeled as a ‘Black Day,’ but it was a crucial moment,” she added.
Priyanka addressed comments made by Home Minister Amit Shah, who suggested that Congress would not hold power for years. She interpreted this as part of the ruling party’s strategy. “The ultimate goal was to remain in power indefinitely,” she said.
She also expressed concerns about the ruling party’s record on women’s issues, suggesting that they were using women’s rights as a cover to avoid necessary political changes like delimitation after the caste census. “The BJP wanted to project itself as a champion for women, but their actions speak otherwise. We have seen the reality of women’s safety, like the incidents in Hathras and the treatment of our Olympic medalists,” she remarked.
