Guwahati, April 20: Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress President Meera Barthakur launched a sharp attack on the BJP over the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill, accusing the ruling party of spreading “utter falsehoods” to mislead the public. Employing a striking metaphor, she said the BJP behaves “like the snake that bites and the charmer that heals,” adding that the people have now understood the party’s tactics, leaving it in a “state of frenzy” under growing public scrutiny.

Speaking at a press conference at the Manabendra Sarma Complex, Barthakur alleged that the BJP is manufacturing a false narrative that the opposition disrespects women, while attempting to project itself as “pure” by shifting blame onto Congress for legislative hurdles. She dismissed the accusations as political maneuvering, recalling that the Congress has historically advanced women’s rights—from Rajkumari Amrit Kaur serving as Health Minister in Nehru’s cabinet to the initiation of 33% reservation in Panchayati Raj institutions.

Barthakur questioned why the Women’s Reservation Bill, passed by 454 MPs in September 2023, remains unimplemented, accusing the BJP of entangling it in bureaucratic red tape by linking it to delimitation. She highlighted disparities in representation, noting that women currently make up 12% of BJP MPs compared to 14.09% in Congress, and pointed out that in Assam, the BJP fielded only one woman candidate in 2024 while Congress fielded two. For the upcoming Assembly elections, she said, the BJP has given tickets to six women, while Congress has fielded 13.

She further criticised the BJP’s record on women’s safety, citing incidents in Manipur, Jantar Mantar, Gujarat, Unnao, and Hathras, and questioned the Prime Minister’s sincerity in speaking about women’s honour. Barthakur also raised concerns over the death of police officer Junmoni Rabha and accused the BJP of manipulating delimitation to suit its strongholds, citing the creation of the “Central Guwahati” constituency.

Reaffirming Congress’s commitment, Barthakur said leaders Rahul Gandhi, Gaurav Gogoi, and Priyanka Gandhi have already stated that the opposition has no objection to immediate implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill based on the current 543 Lok Sabha seats. She urged the people of Assam not to be swayed by BJP’s narrative, asserting that Congress has always stood with women and will continue to do so.