BENGALURU: Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has criticised the Centre over the handling of the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill, saying the opposition was not taken into confidence and calling for wider consultation in a democratic process. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Sunday, Shivakumar said the Congress had always supported women’s reservation but objected to the manner in which the legislation was brought forward. “This is democracy; this is not a Hitler-style rule. They cannot bring it in the middle of elections and try to alter the entire constituencies,” he said. He added that the Bill should have been discussed with all political parties before being introduced. “They have to take everyone into confidence, but they have not done that,” he said, adding that the INDIA bloc had shown unity in opposing the move. Shivakumar’s remarks came after a Constitution Amendment Bill seeking 33% reservation for women in legislatures and an increase in Lok Sabha seats to 816 by 2029 was defeated in Parliament on Friday. While 298 members supported the Bill in the Lok Sabha, 230 voted against it. The proposal required a two-thirds majority of 352 votes to pass. Under the Bill, delimitation based on the 2011 Census would have increased Lok Sabha and state assembly seats to implement the quota. Responding to criticism from the BJP, Shivakumar said women were a national asset and not the property of any party. He also pointed to Congress measures in local bodies, claiming the party had already ensured 50% reservation for women at that level. He further alleged that the proposed changes could affect regional balance, particularly representation from southern states. “Without consulting us, they are trying to redraw constituencies, giving more weight to North India and reducing representation in South India. This cannot be accepted,” he said. Shivakumar added that Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and party president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with several southern chief ministers, had opposed the proposal.
