Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa on Saturday strongly backed the Women’s Reservation Bill, stating that opposition to the legislation goes against the principle of equality and delaying its implementation reflects a lack of political will.
Speaking to reporters in Chikkamagaluru, Yediyurappa said the demand for women’s reservation in legislative bodies has been pending for decades and must not be further postponed. He argued that timely implementation of such a measure is essential to ensure fair and equal representation for women in politics.
The veteran leader dismissed suggestions that the Bill was driven by political motives, stating that “a good policy is always welcome whenever it is implemented.” He emphasised that empowering women through political reservation is a matter of rights rather than political strategy.
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Yediyurappa also invoked the teachings of social reformers to support his argument, referring to 12th-century saint Basavanna, who advocated for equality and rejected social discrimination. He also cited the legacy of poet-saint Akkamahadevi, highlighting her independent expression as an example of women’s empowerment that should continue in modern governance.
He asserted that providing women with political opportunities is not a concession but a fundamental right, adding that opposing such measures amounts to opposing equality itself. Yediyurappa also expressed support for the initiative taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it a historic step toward inclusive representation.
Alongside his remarks on the Bill, the former Chief Minister criticised the Karnataka state government over recent electricity tariff hikes. He alleged that the increase in power charges was excessive and poorly justified, claiming that it would place an additional burden on ordinary households already dealing with rising living costs.
He questioned the state government’s financial management and demanded an immediate rollback of the tariff hike to provide relief to the public. According to him, continued price increases in essential services would make it increasingly difficult for common citizens to manage daily expenses. Yediyurappa also commented on upcoming by-elections in the state, expressing confidence that the BJP would secure a decisive victory in both constituencies.
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