New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday reiterated the Union government’s resolve to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies despite a bill over the quota getting defeated in Lok Sabha a few days ago.
Addressing an election rally in Tamil Nadu, the Defence Minister said the 33 per cent women’s reservation law was not allowed to be passed in Parliament by the DMK, Congress, Trinamool Congress and the Communist parties.
“I want to assure you, on behalf of the government and on the basis of the pledge taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that we will provide the women’s quota at the very first opportunity we get in Parliament,” Rajnath Singh said in Vasudevanallur Assembly constituency.
The Defence Minister has joined other BJP star campaigners to boost the party’s pitch in the Assembly election in the state on April 23.
Rajnath Singh is spearheading the NDA’s campaign in southern Tamil Nadu.
During the day, the Defence Minister’s schedule was packed with addresses in the Radhapuram constituency of Tirunelveli district; Puliyangudi in Tenkasi district and a roadshow at Panagudi, located about 400 metres from the main venue.
The NDA’s campaign has already seen high-profile appearances by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Piyush Goyal, who have canvassed support for alliance candidates in recent days.
Earlier on Sunday, Home Minister Shah held a roadshow in the Erode South area.
“The people of Tamil Nadu have resolved to uproot the corruption-filled, unsatisfying politics of DMK; the people have determined to establish a National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in Tamil Nadu,” he said on social media platform X.
The people of Tamil Nadu are determined to uproot the corrupt and appeasement driven governance of the DMK and are determined to form an NDA government, the Union Home Minister said.
He asserted that the NDA government would ensure the passage of the proposed Delimitation Bill in Parliament, accusing the DMK-Congress alliance of obstructing efforts aimed at expanding political representation in Tamil Nadu.
Addressing an election rally in Modakurichi, Home Minister Shah said the Centre had proposed increasing the number of Assembly constituencies in the state by 50 per cent to reflect population changes and improve representation.
However, he alleged that the move was blocked due to “narrow political thinking and vested interests” of the DMK and Congress.
“We will not accept this conspiracy. The NDA government is committed to fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Tamil Nadu, and I assure you that the Delimitation Bill will be passed,” Home Minister Shah said.
(IANS)
