Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 24 : Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Monday launched a sharp attack of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over his remarks against the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over support for the Women's Reservation Bill, stating that the legislation has already passed in 2023 and if anyone is engaged in hypocrisy, it's the BJP.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Raut said, "Who is being hypocritical regarding women's reservation or women's policies? Devendra Fadnavis needs to ask himself this. He needs to study a little more; it seems his knowledge is falling short lately," Raut stated.
Raut pointed out that Fadnavis had previously praised the passage of the reservation legislation in Parliament in 2023. "This same Devendra Fadnavis did that! If the bill for reservation or women's empowerment was already passed in 2023, then by bringing the same bill back again, who are you trying to fool?"
Raut claimed that the linking of the Delimitation Bill with the implementation of the Women's Reservation Bill violates constitutional norms and parliamentary rules, questioning how a single bill can be reintroduced in this manner.
"No one has ever opposed any Women's Reservation Bill. If anyone is engaging in hypocrisy, theatrics, and falsehoods regarding women's reservation, it is the Bharatiya Janata Party, Narendra Modi, and Amit Shah," he said.
"The Women's Reservation Bill was passed in 2023, and all we are saying is: implement that bill. But now, they have inserted the 'Delimitation' clause into it. This is against the Constitution and Parliamentary rules. How can one bill be passed twice?" Raut added.
Fadnavis on Sunday claimed that the Congress leader only talks about women's empowerment but "opposes" key legislation, such as the Women's Reservation Bill, "when it comes to actually supporting the cause".
Speaking at a press conference, Fadnavis said, "As for Rahul Gandhi, while he spoke about women's empowerment on stage, the most revolutionary step towards empowering women is the Women's Reservation Bill--a bill that Rahul Gandhi opposes and has voted against. He does not want to ensure that women are given their rights."
Targeting further, he used a hindi idiom, "haathi ke daant khane ke aur, dikhane ke aur", which means -- all show and no substance.