CPIM MLA Slams BJP’s ‘Delay Tactics’ in Women’s Reservation Bill

Women’s Reservation Bill: CPIM Points Out Ground Realities

Agartala, April 30: Citing a dismal 11% female workforce in central jobs and low representation in the Gujarat Assembly, CPIM MLA Shyamal Chakraborty questioned the necessity of introducing a motion on the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Tripura Legislative Assembly, saying the Bill had already been passed in the Parliament in 2023. He labeled the linkage of the Bill to the census a ‘political delay tactic,’ reaffirming the Left’s support for 50% reservation.

Quick Glance: Key Highlights

Representation Gap: Chakraborty pointed out that only 15 women were elected to the 182-seat Gujarat Assembly, a figure lower than in Kerala or West Bengal.
Employment Crisis: Data reveals women hold only 3.37 lakh out of 30.87 lakh central government positions.
Left’s Standpoint: The CPIM demands immediate implementation without the hurdles of census or delimitation, supporting up to 50% reservation.
Historical Context: The MLA highlighted that the Left Front had already achieved 50% reservation in Tripura’s local bodies during its tenure.

Critical Shortfall: The Reality of Female Representation

The debate in the Tripura Legislative Assembly took a sharp turn on Thursday when CPIM MLA Shyamal Chakraborty used hard data to expose the “hollow” nature of the ruling party’s commitment to women’s empowerment. In his address in the Assembly session, Chakraborty drew attention to the stark under-representation of women in both the administrative and legislative pillars of the country.

He cited statistics showing that out of approximately 30.87 lakh employees, a mere 3.37 lakh are women—a participation rate of roughly 11%. Moving to the political landscape, he took a direct swipe at the BJP’s “Gujarat Model,” noting that in the 2022 Gujarat Assembly elections, only 15 women were elected out of 182 representatives (8.2%), trailing significantly behind states like West Bengal and Kerala.

CPIM Standpoint: “Pass the Bill in a Minute”

Clarifying the CPIM’s position, Chakraborty asserted that the party has never been an obstacle to the Women’s Reservation Bill. In fact, he argued that the proposed 33% is a minimum floor, not a ceiling.

“If the reservation is raised to 48.5 percent or even 50 percent, we have no objection,” Chakraborty declared.

The MLA reminded the House that the CPIM-led Left Front government in Tripura had already walked the talk by implementing 50% reservation in the three-tier panchayat and urban local bodies during their administration. The party’s primary demand is that the Bill, passed in 2023, should be operationalized immediately by removing the procedural “census clause.”

Comparison of Representation Standards

Entity/Sector	Total Strength	Female Representation	Percentage
Central Government Jobs	30.87 Lakh	3.37 Lakh	~11%
Gujarat Assembly (2022)	182 Seats	15 Seats	8.2%
Tripura Local Bodies	N/A	50% Reservation	Implemented (Left)
National Female Population	140 Crore+	~48.5%	Census Est.

Exposing the “Census and Delimitation” Delay

A major portion of Chakraborty’s critique was leveled at the “unnecessary” linkage between the Women’s Reservation Bill and the national census and delimitation processes. He alleged that these are purely political maneuvers designed to postpone the law’s benefits for several years.

He recalled that the BJP, despite its massive mandate in 2014, sat on the issue for five years. He also noted that in 2017 and 2018, CPIM leaders like Sitaram Yechury and P.K. Sreemathi had consistently pushed for the Bill’s passage in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, only to be met with government indifference.

The Verdict: Empowerment Beyond the Ballot

Concluding his speech, the CPIM MLA argued that reserving seats in the Lok Sabha or State Assemblies is insufficient for the comprehensive progress of women. He urged the government to focus on holistic empowerment, which includes:

Bridging the education ratio gap.
Ensuring equal access to healthcare.
Guaranteeing economic independence through robust job creation.

Chakraborty reiterated that while the CPIM supports Women’s reservation Bill, it remains staunchly opposed to using women’s rights as a tool for political narrative-building without genuine intent for immediate implementation.