Congress Accuses BJP of Targeting Constitution Amendments

New Delhi, Jun 24 (PTI) — On Wednesday, the Congress accused the BJP of aiming for a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, claiming that the party's ultimate goal is to amend the Constitution and eliminate reservations. During an interview with PTI Videos, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh asserted that the BJP intends to advance delimitation under the guise of women's reservation, with the end goal being the elimination of reservations altogether.

Ramesh urged the government to demonstrate genuine commitment to women's reservation by implementing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam based on the current strength of the Lok Sabha, which has 543 seats, for the 2029 general elections. He accused Home Minister Amit Shah of splitting the TMC and Shiv Sena (UBT) to vindicate the Congress’s 2024 campaign, suggesting that the BJP seeks '400 paar' to amend the Constitution and end reservations.

Reflecting on recent defections in the opposition ranks, Ramesh suggested that they stem from what he termed the “humiliation” Shah faced in the Lok Sabha on April 17. Shah allegedly failed to secure more than 298 votes for the delimitation bills, despite assurances to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Attempting to retaliate, according to Ramesh, Shah has resorted to 'todh-phod ki rajniti' by fragmenting parties such as the TMC and Shiv Sena in pursuit of a two-thirds majority. Ramesh emphasized Congress's assertion that the BJP's '400 paar' campaign aims to secure enough parliamentary strength to amend the Constitution and abolish reservations.

When questioned about whether the BJP is aiming for a majority to target reservations, Ramesh stated that while the immediate goal is the delimitation bill, the true aim is to eliminate reservations. He contended that despite Prime Minister Modi's public statements, notable figures such as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and RSS leaders have expressed opposition to reservations.

Ramesh noted that the BJP appears to have longstanding discomfort with the Constitution, referencing historical opposition to its adoption in 1949 by parties affiliated with the BJP’s ideological origins. He claimed that the opposition’s parliamentary vote was against delimitation, not women's reservation as accused by the BJP. He reiterated Congress's position that women’s reservation should be applied to 543 seats, criticizing the BJP’s alleged ulterior motives of eliminating reservations instead.

Discussing potential compromises, Ramesh expressed skepticism about significantly increasing Lok Sabha seats as part of a bill and questioned the efficacy and oversight of the delimitation process as currently managed by government bodies. He insisted on delimitation being conducted post-caste census and maintaining the Lok Sabha's strength at 543 seats, with one-third reserved for women.

Ramesh predicted that despite Shah’s efforts to increase BJP’s numbers through alliances and splits, the party would not secure a two-thirds majority in the current or future parliaments. He reiterated that the opposition to the constitutional amendment bill defeated in the Lok Sabha on April 17 was based on these concerns.

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