Congress president Kharge (File photo) Congress president hints at backing Centre with 2029 rolloutNEW DELHI: Rebuffing fresh overture from the Centre for a meeting to discuss amendments to the women’s reservation bill, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Thursday wrote to the Modi government that the opposition is “extremely busy” with assembly election campaign and reiterated the demand that the government call an all-party meeting after April 29 when voting closes for the polls.However, for the first time since talk of amending the quota bill started, Kharge has indicated the opposition’s readiness to facilitate implementation of 33% women’s reservation in legislatures from 2029. Also, the government is learnt to have formally told Kharge that it wants to delink Census and delimitation from the women’s quota matter.Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju Thursday, wrote to Kharge seeking a meeting to discuss the issue. Israel Iran WarMiddle East conflict: One Indian dead, another injured by missile debris in Abu DhabiIran hands Hormuz pass to India, Pak, Russia, China, IraqIran’s oil revenue soars as others struggle due to Strait of Hormuz crisis; how much is it earning daily?In response, Kharge chided the government for being in a “great hurry” to “amend a Constitutional amendment Act 30 months after it was initially passed”, and asked it to wait till the end of polls.“We are all extremely busy with the election campaign. That is the reason why we had suggested that the meeting be held after the campaign is over,” he wrote, adding, “This will, in no way, affect the implementation of the amended Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, from the 2029 Lok Sabha election onwards.” Watch ‘Married Modi-ji’: PM Modi Laughs As Mallikarjun Kharge Cracks Joke On Deve Gowda In Rajya Sabha On Tuesday, opposition INDIA bloc, barring TMC, wrote to the government that it should call an all-party brainstorming on amending the landmark bill. It demanded that the government circulate its proposal of amendments in advance for better discussion. Kharge has twice before rejected a Congress-only meeting plea from the government, and told it to discuss the issue with the entire opposition camp.Berating the govt, Kharge wrote, “On Sept 21, 2023, during debate in Rajya Sabha, I had myself demanded the immediate implementation of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, but the govt had not agreed with my demand.”Congress spokesman Jairam Ramesh said the implication of the govt’s fresh plea is that it wants to amend 334-A(1), which is abrupt since the clause to the Constitution was passed just over two years ago. Pointing to the ongoing polls, he said, “The Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct has been reduced to being the Modi Code of Campaigning. Calling a special two-day session any day in April would violate one MCC but will be in keeping with the other.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosModi Govt Slashes Excise Duty On Fuel Even As Global Oil Crisis Hits Neighbours Like Pakistan’Need To Hold Each Other’s Hands’: Bangladesh Envoy Hails India Ties, Pays Tribute To Zubeen GargTrump Names Modi With Shehbaz; Claims Role In Easing India-Pak CrisisLPG Vessel ‘Apollo Ocean’ Carrying 16,000 Tonnes Of Cargo Docks In KarnatakaUS Lawmaker Brandon Gill’s Chhat Puja Remark Sparks Outrage, Indian Diaspora Hits Back Strongly’Only PM Modi Can…’: Ex-US Army Col Ridicules Pak’s Mediation Push In Iran War, Pitches India‘Get Serious Before It’s Too Late’, Trump To Iran; Indian Govt Says ‘Have Enough Fuel For 2 Months’West Asia Conflict: PM Modi To Chair Key Meet With CMs To Review Preparedness, PlansIAF Seeks Ultra-Light High-Altitude Drones To Enhance Garud Commandos Capabilities | WatchHow Precision Rockets Are Changing Modern Warfare | Pinaka System Explained123PhotostoriesUday Kotak’s iconic Mumbai residence that redefines elegant livingBTS ‘ARIRANG’: Every chart record shattered in the first week of their comeback since March 20 releaseWhy spiritual teachings say attachment is the root of suffering and how to free yourself from itThis Sania Mirza mustard Anarkali look giving Hyderabadi royalty and modern elegance at onceChef Sanjeev Kapoor shares 5 traditional natural summer coolers to ward off the heat8 countries to visit this summer for a stress-free holiday; visa details inside10 nature-inspired home names and their meanings6 effective ways to bring butterflies and birds to your balcony space7 traditional Indian breakfasts made with oats and paneerGarrard to Boucheron: 10 oldest jewellery brands in the world that have stood the test of time123Hot PicksMiddle East warUS-Iran-War impactUS unemployment dataGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingICE immigration courtsBSEB 10th ResultIndia-Bangladesh NewsIran war newsMLB Opening Day 2026US-Iran-War impactUS mortgage ratesNirav ModiUS citizenshipCOVID-19 fraud case
Congress president hints at backing Centre with 2029 rolloutNEW DELHI: Rebuffing fresh overture from the Centre for a meeting to discuss amendments to the women’s reservation bill, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Thursday wrote to the Modi government that the opposition is “extremely busy” with assembly election campaign and reiterated the demand that the government call an all-party meeting after April 29 when voting closes for the polls.However, for the first time since talk of amending the quota bill started, Kharge has indicated the opposition’s readiness to facilitate implementation of 33% women’s reservation in legislatures from 2029. Also, the government is learnt to have formally told Kharge that it wants to delink Census and delimitation from the women’s quota matter.Parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju Thursday, wrote to Kharge seeking a meeting to discuss the issue. In response, Kharge chided the government for being in a “great hurry” to “amend a Constitutional amendment Act 30 months after it was initially passed”, and asked it to wait till the end of polls.“We are all extremely busy with the election campaign. That is the reason why we had suggested that the meeting be held after the campaign is over,” he wrote, adding, “This will, in no way, affect the implementation of the amended Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, from the 2029 Lok Sabha election onwards.”
On Tuesday, opposition INDIA bloc, barring TMC, wrote to the government that it should call an all-party brainstorming on amending the landmark bill. It demanded that the government circulate its proposal of amendments in advance for better discussion. Kharge has twice before rejected a Congress-only meeting plea from the government, and told it to discuss the issue with the entire opposition camp.Berating the govt, Kharge wrote, “On Sept 21, 2023, during debate in Rajya Sabha, I had myself demanded the immediate implementation of Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, but the govt had not agreed with my demand.”Congress spokesman Jairam Ramesh said the implication of the govt’s fresh plea is that it wants to amend 334-A(1), which is abrupt since the clause to the Constitution was passed just over two years ago. Pointing to the ongoing polls, he said, “The Election Commission’s Model Code of Conduct has been reduced to being the Modi Code of Campaigning. Calling a special two-day session any day in April would violate one MCC but will be in keeping with the other.”
