In Andhra Pradesh, NDA alliance parties organised a protest rally in Nidadavolu today, condemning the obstruction of the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament. Addressing the media after the rally, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu described the development as a betrayal of the nation and termed it a black day in the history of Indian democracy. He accused opposition parties, particularly those led by Congress, of denying justice to women by blocking the bill.

 

Mr. Naidu said there was widespread expectation that the long-pending demand for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies would finally be fulfilled. He said people hoped to see greater representation of women in legislative bodies, but those hopes were shattered.

 

He further stated that the Centre had assured that no injustice would be done to southern and smaller states and that the number of seats would increase by 50 per cent, including in Andhra Pradesh. However, he alleged that opposition parties deliberately prevented the bill from securing the required two-thirds majority for political reasons.

 

The Chief Minister said the protest in Nidadavolu was only the beginning. He said large-scale awareness programmes would be conducted to take the issue to every household and mobilise public opinion.