TMC alleges ‘deliberate delay’ by Centre in implementing women’s reservation

A political debate has intensified over the implementation of the Women’s Reservation law, with the Trinamool Congress raising questions about the conditions attached to its rollout. While the central government has described the legislation as a landmark step for women’s political empowerment, the ruling party in West Bengal has alleged that the process may be deliberately delayed.

The law passed by Parliament provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. However, its implementation has been linked to the completion of the national census and a subsequent delimitation exercise to redraw parliamentary and assembly constituencies.

Trinamool Congress leaders have accused the central government of attaching these conditions to postpone the law’s implementation. According to the party, if the intention had been clear, the reservation could have been implemented immediately without linking it to the census and delimitation processes.

The party has also expressed concern that the delay could prevent women from benefiting from the quota in several upcoming elections. Leaders argue that the lengthy procedural requirements may push the implementation timeline further into the future.

Meanwhile, the BJP has defended the move, calling the legislation a historic step and saying the process is being carried out transparently. Experts believe that the census and delimitation process could take three to five years, raising questions about whether the reservation will be implemented before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.