Shimla, April 18
Himachal Pradesh Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Friday criticized the BJP over the women’s reservation bill, alleging it was an attempt to gain political advantage through delimitation rather than genuinely empower women. He also ordered an independent inquiry into the Chester Hill matter, warning of strict action if irregularities are found.
Reacting after the bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, Negi said the Congress views the development as a significant political victory. He accused the BJP of trying to use the issue of women’s reservation for electoral gains. “This was not about women’s reservation but about securing political benefit through delimitation. The opposition strongly resisted it in Parliament,” he said in Shimla.
Responding to the BJP’s allegations that Congress is anti-women, Negi hit back and also targeted the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, questioning the lack of women’s participation in the organization. He said that while the BJP claims to support women, its ideological affiliates do not reflect that commitment.
Negi said the original women’s reservation law had already been passed in 2023, but was not implemented. He alleged that the proposed amendments were aimed at delaying implementation while linking it with delimitation to gain political advantage, particularly in states such as West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. He added that the public now understands this strategy and reiterated that Congress first raised the issue of women’s reservation in 1996.
On the Chester Hill issue, Negi said he had already directed the Deputy Commissioner to conduct an independent probe even before the matter was raised by the CPI M. He said the officer has been given full authority to carry out the investigation without interference. “If any irregularities are found, strict action will be taken against those responsible,” he said, adding that any attempt to influence the probe would also invite action.
He further stated that violations of Section 118 would not be tolerated by the government. The minister’s remarks indicate a sharper political confrontation over the women’s reservation issue while also underlining the state government’s stance on administrative accountability in the Chester Hill case.
