Gaurav Gogoi slams BJP, says women’s reservation ‘delayed by delimitation politics’

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on April 17 criticised the Centre over the implementation of women’s reservation, alleging that the government has complicated the reform by linking it with delimitation and census requirements.

Speaking to reporters, Gogoi said that a “simple women’s reservation bill” without conditions related to delimitation or census could have ensured faster progress in enhancing women’s representation in legislatures.

He referred to the women’s reservation law passed in 2023, stating that while it has now moved forward, the government’s approach to tie it with future delimitation exercises has raised concerns.

“The political delimitation they wanted to do in the name of women’s reservation in 2026 has been exposed across the country,” Gogoi said, accusing the BJP of using the issue for political gains.

He further alleged that the ruling party is engaging in “politics” over a reform that should have been implemented more straightforwardly, adding that the public has begun to see through the move.

The remarks come amid an intensifying political debate over the implementation timeline of women’s reservation and its linkage with delimitation, a move that has drawn criticism from several opposition leaders.