Photo Courtesy: northeasttoday
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has labeled the Congress party as anti-women following a brief walkout by its legislators during a state assembly session. The protest occurred while lawmakers debated a government resolution that advocates for a 33 percent quota for women in Parliament and state legislatures.
The resolution, introduced by Women and Child Welfare Minister Ajanta Neog, calls for the immediate implementation of this quota following the completion of the delimitation process. While Congress and Raijor Dal members exited the chamber briefly due to a disagreement over comments made by BJP legislator Bhuban Pegu, they returned to participate in the vote, which ultimately passed by voice vote.
Sarma claimed the opposition party acted under instructions from its central leadership to avoid the proceedings. He accused Congress of historical inaction on the issue, arguing that the party stalled progress on women's reservation for decades to appease political allies. He also criticized the party for failing to support a recent Constitutional amendment bill that would have expanded legislative representation for indigenous communities in Assam.
Framing the resolution as a commitment to the state's values, Sarma highlighted the historical influence of women in Assam. He pointed to figures ranging from the goddess Kamakhya to Ahom princess Joymoti and freedom fighter Kanaklata. He also noted the ongoing contributions of 40 lakh women currently involved in various self-help groups across the region.
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