Sonia to lead congress’ debate on Women’s Reservation Bill and Smriti Irani from BJP 

NEW DELHI: The Modi government made history yesterday by introducing the Women's Reservation Bill as the first step on the first day of the new Parliament building. The bill will be debated in the Lok Sabha today. Sonia Gandhi from the opposition and Smriti Irani from the ruling party will participate in the first debate.

The bill proposes to reserve 33 per cent seats for women in the Lok Sabha and assemblies. The Lok Sabha is likely to pass the bill today and send it to the Rajya Sabha. The law will come into effect after getting the approval of half of the legislatures of the country. The law will come into effect only after the first delimitation or redrawing of constituencies after the bill becomes law, which is likely to happen in 2026, since constituency redrawing only occurs after the next Census. Therefore, the 33 percent seat reservation for women will be implemented in the 2029 general elections as well.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the presentation of the bill to the House by describing it as 'a mission given to him by God'. Later, Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal introduced the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Act'. The 128th constitutional amendment is brought through the bill.

Meantime, BSP leader Mayawati demanded that special reservation should be made for backward SC and ST sections in the Women's Reservation Bill. Supporting the bill. Mayawati also said the government should consider introducing 50 percent reservation in legislatures and Lok Sabha instead of 33.