Accusing the BJP of being anti–women empowerment, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK president M.K. Stalin on Monday charged the Modi government with preventing women from gaining power in Parliament and State Legislatures.
He said the manner in which the Modi government passed the 33 per cent reservation for women, with several unnecessary conditions, clearly proved that the saffron party was against women’s empowerment.
“It is impossible to say when it will actually come into effect. ‘Operation successful, but patient dead’ — that is how they function. The BJP does not want women to have power in Parliament and the Legislative Assemblies. That is why they have passed the Bill only in name and are wasting time,” he said, addressing the DMK Women’s Conference at Palladam in Tiruppur district, organised by Kanimozhi, DMK Parliamentary Party Leader and Deputy General Secretary of the party.
“The power that women have gained in local self-governments should be extended to Parliament and State Legislatures. That is the goal of the DMK, and that is why we continue to fight for the 33 per cent reservation. The party’s women’s wing had staged a protest in the national capital in 2017 to press this demand, and my sister Kanimozhi spoke in Parliament not only as the voice of Tamil Nadu, but as the voice of women across India,” he said.
Recalling that it was the Karunanidhi-led government that implemented 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies — later enhanced to 50 per cent — he added, “Today, there are more women Mayors in Tamil Nadu.”
Drawing a contrast with northern states, Stalin said, “Look at Tamil Nadu and look at some other states in the country. There was news from Rajasthan about certain groups banning women from using mobile phones. But here, women are assembling Apple phones in factories.”
“As far as our Dravidian model of governance is concerned, this is a rule that empowers women. It is certain that the DMK will return to power through women’s strength. That is certain,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Kanimozhi said, “Among all Chief Ministers, it is Stalin who is the first to raise his voice against fascism.”