JAIPUR, RAJASTHAN — Rajasthan Minister Jawahar Singh Bedham has launched a sharp attack on Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav while strongly supporting the Women’s Reservation Bill and the constitutional process of delimitation.
Addressing the media in Jaipur, Bedham accused Akhilesh Yadav of consistently engaging in appeasement politics, alleging that his political positions have often been driven by selective considerations. He referred to past issues such as the Babri Masjid dispute, debates around capital punishment for terrorism-related cases, and law-and-order concerns, claiming that Yadav has frequently aligned himself with specific groups based on political calculations.
Bedham further stated that such an approach does not contribute to balanced governance, and emphasized the need for leadership that prioritises national interest over vote-bank politics. He argued that political discourse should focus on development and governance rather than divisive narratives.
On the Women’s Reservation Bill, Bedham expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the legislation a historic step toward empowering women. He highlighted that the bill proposes 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, fulfilling a long-standing demand that previous governments had been unable to implement.
He noted that the bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in 2023 and that renewed efforts are now being made to move the legislation forward through a special parliamentary session. According to him, this reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening women’s participation in politics and ensuring more inclusive governance.
Bedham also addressed concerns regarding delimitation, stating that it is a constitutional process that will take place after 2025 in accordance with existing legal provisions. He explained that the delimitation exercise will involve redrawing constituency boundaries based on updated population data, which is necessary to ensure fair representation.
He added that the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Women’s Reservation Act) is planned to be carried out alongside the delimitation process. According to him, synchronising the two processes will help streamline electoral reforms and ensure effective implementation.
Taking a dig at Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, Bedham questioned the concerns being raised by the Congress party. He suggested that opposition leaders should focus on internal issues within their own party rather than criticising government initiatives.
Bedham asserted that the government remains committed to advancing reforms that strengthen democracy and promote inclusive development, and that opposition resistance should not hinder progress on key issues such as women’s empowerment.
His remarks reflect the ongoing political debate surrounding the Women’s Reservation Bill and delimitation, highlighting both strong support from the ruling side and continued criticism from opposition leaders, as the country moves toward significant electoral and constitutional reforms.
