High stakes Parliament sitting on women’s quota: Congress mandates full attendance of MPs

The Congress on Monday issued a strict whip to all its Lok Sabha Members of Parliament , directing them to remain present in the House for a special sitting of Parliament where key legislative business, including amendments to the Women Reservation Act , will be taken up.

The party has made it clear that attendance is mandatory without exception , as the House is set for an important three day session from April 16 to April 18 . MPs have been instructed to be present from 11 am onwards until adjournment on all three days.

In its communication, the party said that several crucial issues will be discussed and put to vote , underlining the importance of full participation of its parliamentary members. The whip described the directive as “most important” and urged MPs to extend complete support to the party’s position.

The special sitting comes after the Budget session of Parliament was extended to accommodate legislative work. During this period, the government is expected to introduce amendments related to the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam , commonly known as the Women Reservation Act.

The law, aimed at ensuring greater representation for women in legislatures , is currently scheduled for implementation in 2029 . The upcoming discussions are expected to focus on procedural and structural changes required for its rollout.

With high political attention on the session, parties are gearing up for a significant round of debate and voting in Parliament.