Chidambaram slams PM, Shah over fake claims on women’s reservation

Sivaganga: Former Union minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram launched a scathing attack on the Union govt on Friday, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah of peddling "half-truths" and false narratives regarding women's reservation and the delimitation bill.He said that the recent introduction of constitutional amendment and delimitation bills in the Lok Sabha is being misrepresented regarding women's reservation. He emphasised that the reservation for women was legally finalised in Sept 2023 through the 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, which mandates that 181 out of 543 Lok Sabha seats be reserved for women. Asserting that Parliament already passed this legislation 30 months ago, he accused the Union govt of spreading false narratives by suggesting that women's reservation is a new development, when in reality, the current legislative actions simply bring a previously settled law into effect.Chidambaram asserted that the claim of Tamil Nadu's parliamentary seats increasing from 39 to 58 under the constitutional amendment is a complete illusion because, according to the Delimitation Act, seat allocation is based strictly on population. He explained that the delimitation commission will assign seats based on the 2021 or 2026 census, which would actually see Tamil Nadu's representation drop from the projected 58 to just 47 seats due to population metrics.He also questioned AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami's (EPS) support for the delimitation law, saying it was born out of ignorance or fear, advising him to study the law thoroughly and consult with experts before backing it.Chidambaram also took the opportunity to appreciate and thank TVK chief Vijay for voicing his opposition to the delimitation bill. He noted that chief minister M K Stalin is handling the matter with firm resolve and suggested that if other opposition leaders also stand united against the bill, it will be defeated.