Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Congress has accused the BJP of pursuing a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha with the ultimate aim of amending the Constitution to abolish reservation, with Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh making the claim in an interview to PTI Video on Wednesday.
Women’s Reservation Being Used as Cover for Delimitation, Says Congress
Ramesh alleged that the ruling party first wants to push delimitation under the guise of women’s reservation, so that reservation can ultimately be done away with entirely. He added that if the government is genuinely concerned about women’s reservation, it should implement it on the basis of the current Lok Sabha strength without waiting for delimitation.
Defectors Should Never Be Taken Back, Says Ramesh
When asked about young leaders who have left Congress to join the BJP, Ramesh said it would be shameful to even think about welcoming them back. He clarified this was his personal opinion.
Jairam Ramesh Recalls 2004 Victory and Sonia Gandhi’s Leadership
Ramesh recalled that no one had expected Congress to win in 2004 during the India Shining era, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a towering and charismatic leader. Yet Congress emerged as the largest party with 145 seats, leading to the formation of the UPA and Dr Manmohan Singh becoming Prime Minister for 10 years. He credited Sonia Gandhi, who became Congress president in April 1998, with keeping the party united and bringing opposition parties together, which culminated in the UPA alliance on May 16, 2004. He also recalled that landmark schemes like MGNREGA and the Forest Rights Act emerged from discussions with Congress Chief Ministers when the party governed 15 states simultaneously.
