Meghalaya CM Welcomes Women’s Reservation Bill, Links It To Delimitation Gains
CM Conrad Sangma supports women’s reservation bill, linking it to stronger representation via delimitation.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday welcomed the Women’s Reservation Bill, calling it a “crucial democratic reform” that could significantly enhance women’s participation in Indian politics while also potentially increasing Meghalaya’s representation in Parliament following the proposed delimitation exercise.
Sangma said the Centre’s decision to introduce three related bills in the Lok Sabha, including provisions for women’s reservation and the formation of a delimitation commission, represents a long-awaited step toward strengthening democratic inclusion. He described the move as overdue but credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking what he termed a bold initiative to address gender imbalance in political representation.
Highlighting the persistent gap in women’s representation in legislative bodies, the Chief Minister said the proposed law would help bring more women into decision-making roles, particularly at higher levels of governance. He noted that while Meghalaya’s matrilineal society gives women a strong social standing, their participation in formal political institutions remains comparatively limited.
Also Read: DMK And Southern States Oppose Centre’s Delimitation Plan Over Seat Redistribution Concerns
Sangma further stated that greater inclusion of women in policymaking would benefit governance and society as a whole. He emphasised that the reform should be implemented in a way that strengthens democratic institutions without creating disruptions, and called for careful coordination between the reservation policy and the delimitation process.
On the issue of delimitation, the Chief Minister expressed optimism that Meghalaya could see an increase in its parliamentary seats, citing the state’s unique geographical terrain and demographic profile. He said he expected the process to take regional considerations into account while ensuring fair representation for smaller states.
Sangma also dismissed concerns that seat redistribution could negatively affect existing states, expressing confidence that the overall size of Parliament may be expanded to accommodate changes. He urged a balanced and inclusive approach, saying that simultaneous implementation of both reforms could help strengthen India’s democratic framework.
Also Read: Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Opposes Delimitation, Warns Of Statewide Agitation
