CPI(M) asks Centre not to link women’s reservation with delimitation

Published 7 August 2026 · local

CPI(M)] leader B.V. Raghavulu has urged the Centre not to link the proposed women’s reservation legislation with the delimitation exercise, saying that the opposition parties

CPI(M)] leader B.V. Raghavulu has urged the Centre not to link the proposed women’s reservation legislation with the delimitation exercise, saying that the opposition parties are prepared to support the Bill if it is introduced separately. Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, along with party State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao, Mr. Raghavulu alleged that the BJP was attempting to create the impression that the opposition parties were obstructing the legislation. There was no consensus on the delimitation issue and that the Centre had not held adequate consultations with the opposition parties, he said.

According to him, the government should first hold discussions with the political parties before moving forward with the legislation. Referring to the recent “Gen Z” protests in New Delhi, Mr. Raghavulu said the Prime Minister should respect the sentiments of students instead of attempting to suppress the movement. He alleged that the police had used excessive force against the protesters and demanded that Union Home Minister Amit Shah make a statement in Parliament on the issue. Raghavulu also claimed that the BJP’s declining popularity had become evident in the recent Bihar elections, where voters had expressed their dissatisfaction with the party.

Speaking on State affairs, Mr. Srinivasa Rao called upon the government to release a White Paper on employment generation. He questioned the government’s claim that 10 lakh jobs had been created and investments worth ₹11.5 lakh crore attracted to the State, alleging that employment opportunities for local people remained limited. He alleged that thousands of jobs had been lost in sectors such as steel, textiles, dairy and rural employment schemes. He also criticised the government over its handling of the tobacco sector, accusing it of failing to ensure remunerative prices for farmers.

Srinivasa Rao further appealed to the government to release sufficient water to protect crops in the Krishna delta region and increase water pumping from the Pattiseema project. Earlier, Mr. Raghavulu and Mr. Srinivasa Rao released a book titled, Caste Eradication: A Marxist Perspective. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Raghavulu said eliminating caste-based discrimination was essential for the country’s progress and called for greater efforts to address social inequalities.