Kharge flags ‘grave risks’ in women’s quota plan, slams timing of parliament session

In a sharp political escalation ahead of the upcoming Parliament session, Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the Government of India of rushing a major electoral reform that, he said, could have “grave consequences” for India’s democratic framework.

Addressing a high-level meeting of the Congress Working Committee in New Delhi, Kharge warned that the proposed amendments linked to the Women’s Reservation law and a fresh delimitation exercise could significantly alter the country’s electoral balance. He stressed that such sweeping changes require “deep deliberation” , not hurried legislation.

At the centre of the controversy is the government’s reported plan to expand the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 816 seats , alongside a proportional rise in state assemblies. Of these, 33 per cent of seats are expected to be reserved for women , with implementation likely from the 2029 general elections . While the idea of women’s reservation enjoys broad political support, Kharge questioned both the timing and intent behind the move.

He alleged that the Parliament session scheduled between April 16 and 18 has been convened with “utmost haste” to secure political advantage ahead of key state elections. According to him, pushing a Constitutional Amendment Bill during ongoing polls violates the spirit of the Model Code of Conduct , which is intended to ensure fairness in the electoral process.

The Congress chief also raised concerns over transparency, claiming that no formal proposal has been shared with opposition parties. Instead, he said, details have surfaced only through public statements, raising questions over procedural integrity. He reiterated the Opposition’s demand for an all-party meeting after the completion of polling in states such as West Bengal and Tamil Nadu to enable a meaningful and inclusive discussion.

Senior leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra , and several chief ministers attended the meeting, underlining the importance the party attaches to the issue. The Congress has indicated it will work with other opposition parties to build a united response .

While reaffirming his party’s long-standing support for women’s empowerment, Kharge cautioned that the principle must not be used as a political instrument. “Reforms of this scale must strengthen democracy, not distort it,” he said, setting the stage for a heated debate in Parliament.