Chidambaram Criticizes BJP's Push for 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill
Congress Leader's Concerns Over BJP's Legislative Moves
On Tuesday, Congress leader P. Chidambaram accused the BJP of reaching out to the NCP (SP) and DMK to garner support for the proposed 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill. He urged both parties not to endorse this legislation, warning that backing the new version of the bill would betray the principles that guided these regional parties during earlier discussions on a similar proposal earlier this year.
BJP's Legislative Strategy Under Scrutiny
In a post on X, Chidambaram stated that the BJP intends to reintroduce the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, which failed to pass in the previous parliamentary session in April 2026. He explained that the bill aims to reserve one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, but he believes its true intention is to facilitate redistricting and potentially manipulate electoral boundaries.
Existing Provisions and Political Maneuvering
Chidambaram argued that the provision for women's reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies has already been established under the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, making a new bill unnecessary. He accused the BJP of attempting to gain political backing for this legislation, claiming that after creating divisions within the TMC, the BJP is now trying to win over the NCP (SP) and DMK to secure the votes needed for the approval of this failed bill's new version. He expressed confidence that both parties are aware of the bill's true objectives and will remain steadfast in their stance.
Impact of Redistricting on States
The senior Congress leader further asserted that the current redistricting formula would unfairly disadvantage states that have effectively implemented the national population policy and controlled population growth. He emphasized the need to robustly defend the rights of states against the aggressive tactics of the BJP.
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