Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a heartfelt appeal to Members of Parliament to support the amended women's quota bill, which is set to be voted on in the Lok Sabha. The bill aims to increase women's representation in the decision-making process, but its passage is being linked to a contentious delimitation exercise that could redraw Lok Sabha seats.
The government claims that the delimitation exercise will result in a 50% increase in seats, with no change in the proportionate share of states. However, the Opposition has raised concerns that this could lead to a reduction in the number of seats allocated to southern states, which have controlled their population growth.
PM Modi has appealed to MPs to consider the impact of their decision on women's representation, saying "the eyes of the country's millions of women are upon us all, upon our intentions, upon our decisions." He has also asked MPs to "listen to your conscience" and support the bill.
However, the Opposition has argued that the delimitation exercise is being pushed through in haste, and that the government's promises of a 50% increase in seats are not codified in law. They have also raised concerns that the exercise could lead to gerrymandering, where seats are redrawn to favor certain states or parties.
