Pune: BJP’s Tejasvi Surya Slams Congress Over Women’s Reservation Bill, Calls Party “Anti-Women”

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 22nd April 2026: Tejasvi Surya on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, alleging that the party has historically opposed women’s rights, after the Women’s Reservation Bill failed to pass in Parliament.

Addressing a press conference in Pune, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Yuva Morcha national president said that despite efforts by the Narendra Modi-led government, the Bill was not cleared due to opposition from the INDIA alliance.

Surya claimed that the proposed legislation, aimed at providing reservation for women, could not move forward because of the Congress and its allies. He alleged that the Congress has consistently opposed women’s reservation in the past, stating that the Bill had been introduced multiple times earlier but was repeatedly rejected on various grounds.

“The Congress has always taken an anti-women stance throughout its history,” Surya said, adding that the party’s position has hindered progress on women’s representation.

He further said that the BJP would take the issue to the people across the country and ensure that awareness reaches every household and every woman. “Our fight for women’s reservation will continue. The next time the Bill is introduced in Parliament, we expect no opposition,” he said.

Surya also accused opposition parties, including the Nationalist Congress Party and the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction), of opposing efforts to increase women’s representation in states. He questioned their stand and asked why they were against providing greater opportunities to women.

Targeting the opposition further, Surya said that by opposing the Bill, the INDIA alliance had disrespected the mandate of voters. He also raised questions over the opposition’s stance on delimitation, alleging inconsistency in their position depending on whether they are in power.

Responding to a question on a challenge issued by Congress women MPs for a debate on the issue, Surya said he was ready to accept the challenge. “I am prepared to discuss this matter with the public, as the people are with us,” he said.