‘Women won’t forget this betrayal’: Delhi CM leads protest near Rahul Gandhi’s residence over quota bill defeat

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on April 18 led a protest march near Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s residence at Sunehri Bagh, escalating the political battle over the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill that proposed 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state Assemblies.

Wearing a black armband, Gupta marched alongside BJP leaders, including MP Hema Malini, accusing Opposition parties of sabotaging a landmark push for women’s political representation.

The demonstration came a day after the Bill was voted down in the Lok Sabha, triggering sharp exchanges between the ruling BJP-led NDA and Opposition parties over women’s reservation, delimitation, and the proposed expansion of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850.

Rekha Gupta’s attack on Congress

Launching a direct attack on Congress and Rahul Gandhi, Gupta said women across the country would remember the defeat of the Bill.

“The women power of this country will not forget this betrayal by the Congress and its Yuvraj. They will give a befitting reply in every election,” she wrote on X, sharing visuals of the protest march with party leaders, including Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva.

She said the arguments made by parties opposing the Bill lacked substance and reflected an “anti-women” mindset.

Gupta further alleged that Congress and its allies had a long history of obstructing women’s empowerment, adding that their opposition had exposed their real political intentions.

‘Could not tolerate women moving forward’

Actor-turned-politician Hema Malini also joined the attack, saying the Opposition could not accept women progressing equally with men.

“It could not tolerate women moving forward shoulder to shoulder with men,” she said.

BJP links opposition to seat politics

Gupta claimed Opposition parties were trying to politicize the issue and resisting reforms for electoral reasons.

“In 1971, the country’s population was around 50 crore; now it has increased to 140 crore. In that sense, the number of seats should increase,” she said.

“But you had a problem because you did not want to divide your existing constituency into two and let a woman come forward,” she added.

Bill defeat sparks wider battle

The proposed constitutional amendment had sought to implement 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislatures, while also paving the way for fresh delimitation and a significant increase in parliamentary seats.

Its defeat has now become a fresh flashpoint, with the BJP portraying itself as the champion of women’s representation and accusing the Opposition of placing political survival above gender justice.

Business leaders, women entrepreneurs join protest

Among those present at the protest gathering were Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) national general secretary and Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal, along with a large number of women entrepreneurs, underlining the BJP’s attempt to widen support for the issue beyond party ranks.