PANJIM: The Opposition parties have demanded that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should categorically declare that the Women’s reservation Bill will be implemented in the 2027 Goa Assembly elections.
In response to the Chief Minister’s statement that the passage of the bill in both Houses of Parliament would lead to the reservation of 13 seats in the 40-Member House, Goa Pradesh Mahila Congress president Beena Naik called it another ‘political jumla of the BJP’. She suggested that the announcement might be politically motivated, aimed at gaining votes in the upcoming elections in other States. “We will welcome the bill only if reservation is actually going to happen,” she stated.
Naik questioned the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) intentions, noting that they have held power in Goa and at the Centre for many years. She pointed out the absence of women in key leadership positions within the party and urged the government to provide proper positions to women if they genuinely respect them.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) State president Adv Amit Palekar echoed similar sentiments, emphasising the need for the completion of the census before implementing the Women’s Reservation Bill. He questioned the timing of the announcement, with the 2024 polls approaching, and expressed doubts about the government’s commitment to women's empowerment.
Palekar also criticized the lack of women’s representation in Goa’s State cabinet and suggested that tickets for political positions are often given to those with family connections.
Political analyst Trajano D’Mello raised concerns about the bill’s clauses related to the census and delimitation, which could delay its implementation for decades. He accused the government of not being serious about women’s empowerment and likened the promise to the infamous “Rs 15 lakh in everybody’s account” pledge.
Former South Goa Zilla Panchayat (ZP) Adhyaksh Nelly Rodrigues welcomed the decision but urged the government to implement the bill without delay. She shared her personal experience and achievements in politics as a testament to the importance of women’s representation. Rodrigues emphasized that the bill should not be used as an election gimmick and called for its immediate action.
Despite welcoming the bill, Rodrigues questioned the need for clauses like delimitation and urged the government to demonstrate its commitment by implementing the legislation promptly. She emphasized the potential of women in politics and urged the removal of unnecessary obstacles to their participation.