On the eve of the conclusion of campaign activities for the sixth stage of the Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi, the leader of Congress, asserted that the BJP propagates the notion of women being relegated to a subordinate status and highlighted that its ideological progenitor RSS bars women from participating in its ‘shakhas’. Addressing a gathering composed entirely of women voters in Mangolpuri to extend support to Udit Raj, the Congress’ nominee for the Lok Sabha seat in North West Delhi, Gandhi remarked that while the BJP ceremoniously endorsed the women’s reservation bill in the Parliament, it later deferred its implementation by a decade.
Gandhi, engaging in a metro journey and conversing with commuters on the final day of campaign activities, expressed satisfaction with the ease of public transportation facilitated by the construction of the Delhi metro. Sharing moments captured during his metro ride and interactions with passengers, the former Congress chief conveyed his contentment with the efficacy of the metro project in Hindi.
During the gathering, Gandhi emphasized the additional burdens borne by working women upon returning home, underscoring the lack of recognition for their relentless domestic efforts. He lamented the absence of remuneration for the extensive hours of unpaid labor undertaken by women, asserting the necessity of acknowledging and compensating their invaluable contributions.
Furthermore, Gandhi reiterated the Congress’ commitment to alleviating the plight of women through the proposed Mahalaxmi Yojana, pledging financial assistance of Rs 8,500 monthly and Rs 1 lakh annually to impoverished women. Criticizing the BJP’s stance on the women’s reservation legislation, Gandhi attributed their delay in implementation to a concealed agenda, insinuating a deep-seated bias against women within the RSS ranks.
Asserting the Congress’ dedication to gender equality, Gandhi vowed to enhance women’s representation in government employment opportunities if elected to power. Addressing another campaign gathering in Dilshad Garden, Gandhi accused the BJP of harboring intentions to dismantle the constitutional framework, marking a departure from their historical disdain for the Indian Constitution and flag.
Describing the ongoing electoral contest as a battle to safeguard the constitutional legacy shaped by luminaries such as Gandhi, Ambedkar, and Nehru, Gandhi cautioned against any attempts to tamper with the foundational principles of the Indian democracy. These assertions from Gandhi followed a directive from the Election Commission urging the Congress to refrain from making statements that could be construed as threats to the integrity of the Constitution.
Thursday marked the culmination of election campaigning in Delhi, with all seven parliamentary constituencies scheduled to vote on May 25. The results of the electoral process, spanning seven phases, are slated to be announced on June 4.
