24 September,2023 11:18 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Kapil Sibal/File Photo
Former Union law minister Kapil Sibal criticized the Modi government, alleging that the recently passed Women's Reservation Bill is an electoral ploy with an eye on the upcoming state and Lok Sabha elections. In a conversation as part of his 'Dil Se' initiative, Sibal stated that the earliest the bill can come into effect is during the 2034 Lok Sabha elections, highlighting the complex process involved in its implementation, stated a report in PTI.
Sibal also addressed the recent controversy surrounding BJP MP Ramesh Bidhuri's derogatory remarks against BSP MP Danish Ali, calling for Bidhuri's expulsion from Parliament. He expressed his shock at the incident and criticized the presiding officer's response to the use of foul language in the Lok Sabha.
Regarding the Women's Reservation Bill, Sibal questioned the government's sincerity in passing the bill immediately, stating that if they were genuinely committed to it, they could have done it in 2014. He explained that the process of delimitation, which is essential for the bill's implementation, is a time-consuming and complex exercise. Considering the need to update census data and the potential inclusion of caste data, Sibal predicted that the earliest possible implementation of the bill would be in 2034, the report further stated.
Sibal also raised questions about the government's timing in bringing the bill, suggesting that it might be an attempt to capture a crucial issue ahead of the 2024 elections. He emphasized that the opposition should focus on questioning the Centre about its failure to bring the bill earlier, rather than speculating on its electoral impact.
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Regarding the new Parliament building, Sibal expressed his preference for a more comfortable and intimate space, describing it as a "seven-star structure." He highlighted the importance of feeling close to colleagues in the parliamentary setting.
Kapil Sibal, who was a Union minister during UPA I and II, left the Congress in May last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the support of the Samajwadi Party. He has since initiated the non-electoral platform 'Insaaf,' dedicated to fighting against injustice.
