Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. K. Stalin has strongly criticised AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), urging him to “show spine” and press the Centre to immediately implement the long-pending Women’s Reservation Act, 2023.
Speaking at a public event and later in a statement, Stalin said that political leaders, especially those in opposition parties, should actively push the Union government to enforce the 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies without further delay. He alleged that EPS and his party were not taking a firm stand on the issue despite its national importance.
Stalin accused EPS of aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on key policy matters and failing to raise strong objections regarding delays in implementing the women’s quota law. He said that such silence amounted to ignoring women’s political empowerment.
The Women’s Reservation Act, passed by Parliament in 2023, provides for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies. However, its implementation has been linked to the completion of delimitation and census-related processes, which has led to continued debate and political disagreements across parties.
Stalin reiterated that his party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), supports women’s representation in legislatures but has also demanded clarity on the timing and fairness of implementation. He has previously questioned whether the delay in enforcing the law is politically motivated.
Taking a direct swipe at EPS, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said opposition leaders should not hesitate to pressure the Centre on issues that directly affect women’s rights and democratic representation. He argued that leadership requires taking a clear stand rather than maintaining silence for political convenience.
The remarks come amid ongoing political tensions in Tamil Nadu between the DMK and AIADMK, with both parties frequently exchanging accusations over governance, federal policies, and alliances with national parties.
The controversy around the Women’s Reservation Act continues to remain a major political issue, with several leaders across parties demanding faster implementation and clearer timelines from the Union government.
As debates intensify, Stalin’s remarks add to the growing pressure on both the Centre and opposition parties to clarify their positions on one of India’s most significant pending constitutional reforms for gender representation.
