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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday addressed Parliament, offering assurances to opposition parties while responding to protests over three controversial bills. Without naming the Congress, he also made a pointed remark during his speech. He said, “We look at India as one… not in parts.”
On the proposed delimitation exercise, which involves redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituencies, he assured that no state would face injustice. “I give my guarantee that no injustice will be done to any state, from east to west, north to south,” he said.
The remarks come amid concerns raised by several southern states that delimitation could reduce their representation in Parliament, as population-based seat allocation may benefit northern states such as Uttar Pradesh.
Addressing the Women’s Reservation Bill, which proposes 33% reservation for women in an expanded Lok Sabha, he said past opposition to such measures was not supported by voters in later elections. He urged parties not to view the issue politically, calling it a matter of national interest.
He also mocked earlier criticism that the government was taking credit for welfare schemes launched by previous regimes, saying he was willing to share credit with all parties through advertisements if needed.
Narendra Modi stated that women’s reservation should have been implemented decades ago, adding that earlier action would have strengthened democratic progress.
The opposition, including Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, has criticised the bills, calling them an attack on democracy and alleging they were being pushed together to secure approval.
The delimitation issue has remained a long-standing dispute between the Centre and southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu, which argues that population control efforts should not lead to reduced political representation.
All three bills, including one expanding the Lok Sabha strength to 850 members, were introduced in Parliament by Law Minister Arjun Meghwal.
