Amid preparations for a Special Session of Parliament to discuss the implementation of women’s reservation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi accusing the Centre of rushing the process for electoral advantage rather than genuine empowerment of women.

The Centre has convened the Special Session next week to deliberate on the Women’s Reservation (Amendment) Bill.

The Prime Minister had earlier written to floor leaders of all political parties in both Houses of Parliament seeking support for the unanimous passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam so that women’s reservation can be implemented ahead of the 2029 general elections.

Responding to the communication, Kharge recalled that the legislation had already been passed unanimously by Parliament in September 2023 and questioned the timing of the government’s renewed push, news agency IANS reported.

In his letter, he said, "I have just received your letter on the special session of Parliament for a discussion on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam from April 16. As you are aware, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 was passed by Parliament unanimously in September 2023."

"At that time, on behalf of the Indian National Congress, I had demanded that this important law should become effective immediately. Though in your letter you have mentioned that there was a broad consensus for its immediate implementation, you did not implement the same," he said.

The Congress chief stressed that discussions on women’s reservation cannot be separated from the delimitation exercise and called for broader political consultation before moving ahead.

"You will appreciate that without details of the delimitation and other aspects, it would be impossible to have any useful discussion on this historic law," he said.

Kharge also alleged that the Special Session was convened without proper consultation with opposition parties.

"You mention in your letter that your government has engaged in dialogue with political parties regarding this. However, I am pained to point out that this goes against the truth since all the Opposition parties have been urging the government to call an All-Party meeting after the current round of elections is over on April 29, 2026, to discuss the Constitution amendments being contemplated," Kharge added.

Questioning the government’s intent, he said, "The calling of a special sitting during the ongoing state elections only reinforces our belief that your government is hurrying the implementation of the Bill to gain political mileage rather than truly empower women."

He further criticised the Centre’s record on major policy decisions, stating, "I am also pained to write that the past record of the government in matters of public importance, whether it is demonetisation, GST, census or even those pertaining to the federal structure like implementing Finance Commission recommendations and tax devolutions, does not inspire any confidence."

Emphasising the federal implications of the proposed constitutional changes, Kharge wrote, "The constitutional amendments being planned will affect both the Centre and the states, and it is important that all parties and states, however small they may be, are heard in a democracy."

He added that if the Special Session is intended to strengthen democracy and move forward collectively, the government should hold an all-party meeting after April 29 once the ongoing Assembly elections conclude to discuss delimitation linked to the amendment.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party will need opposition backing to secure the two-thirds majority required for the constitutional amendment.

The proposed legislation aims to delink the implementation of women’s reservation from the 2027 Census and instead base it on the 2011 Census, a move seen as enabling the quota to come into force before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.