Chandigarh, April 15
Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring accused the BJP of carrying out a “hidden attack” on states like Punjab by proposing to redraw parliamentary constituencies. He said this would politically weaken states that have not supported the BJP and damage India’s federal structure. Warring made these comments in response to the Center’s plan to change constituency boundaries before implementing the Women’s Reservation Act.
“This is a hidden attack by the BJP on Punjab, which has consistently rejected the party,” Warring said. He warned that changing the boundaries could cause political discrimination and further weaken the federal system.
Warring said Congress will launch a mass campaign across Punjab to oppose the proposed changes. He also called on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party to hold a special session of the Punjab Assembly and pass a resolution against the delimitation process, urging them to strongly oppose it.
Warring also claimed that the Center is using the Women’s Reservation Bill as an excuse to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats. He said this would mainly benefit states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, while putting Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala at a disadvantage. He added that the BJP is “trying to bring the law through the back door,” and that Congress will oppose any such move.
The proposed changes would raise the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to as many as 850 to help implement 33 percent reservation for women before the 2029 general elections. The plan also includes increasing the number of seats in state and Union Territory assemblies. Parliament is set to hold a special session from April 16 to 18 to discuss amendments related to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, or Women’s Reservation Act.
The issue is likely to spark more political debate in the coming days, as Congress plans state-wide protests and calls for wider opposition to the delimitation proposal.
