Women's Reservation Bill debate: Sonia Gandhi says, 'Rajiv Gandhi's dream will complete with passing of the Bill'

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi Wednesday announced the support of the Indian National Congress (INC) for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023′ (Women’s Reservation Bill).

Opening the debate on the Women’s Reservation Bill from the Opposition’s side, Sonia Gandhi said, “Rajiv Gandhi’s dream is only partially complete. It will complete with the passing of this Bill.”

She added, “This is an emotional moment of my own life as well. For the first time, the Constitutional amendment to decide women’s representation in local body elections was brought by my life partner Rajiv Gandhi. It was defeated in Rajya Sabha by 7 votes. Later, Congress Govt, under the leadership of PM PV Narasimha Rao, passed it in Rajya Sabha. As a result, we have 15 lakh elected women leaders across the country through local bodies.”

#WATCH | Women’s Reservation Bill | Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi says, “This is an emotional moment of my own life as well. For the first time, Constitutional amendment to decide women’s representation in local body election was brought by my life partner… pic.twitter.com/stm2Sggnor

— ANI (@ANI) September 20, 2023

‘Enforce bill immediately’

While hailing the tabling of the historic bill, Gandhi also mentioned that it must be passed immediately as Indian women have waited long enough.

“Congress supports this Bill (on Women’s Reservation). We are happy with the passage of this Bill but at the same time, we are concerned too. Indian women have been waiting for their political responsibility for the past 13 years. And now they are being asked to wait for some more years. How many years? The Congress demands that this Bill be enforced immediately,” she said.

VIDEO | Congress supports this Bill (on Women’s Reservation). We are happy with the passage of this Bill but at the same time, we are concerned too. Indian women have been waiting for their political responsibility for the past 13 years. And now they are being asked to wait for… pic.twitter.com/XlAJPfK1xr

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 20, 2023

She added, “Along with that, arrangements be made for reservations to women from SC, ST and OBC communities by holding a caste census.”

Joining the chorus, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, said, “I think it is a wonderful (Women’s Reservation) Bill. The only thing I say that OBCs should also be included in that.”

VIDEO | “I think it is a wonderful (Women’s Reservation) Bill. The only thing I say that OBCs should also be included in that,” says National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah on Women’s Reservation Bill, 2023. pic.twitter.com/4EuTPam0rc

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 20, 2023