‘Democracy will be finished’: Priyanka Gandhi attacks Centre over amendment bill

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Centre warning that the proposed Constitution amendment linked to womenrsquos reservation and delimitation could have serious consequences for Indiarsquos democratic framework reported PTISpeaking during a debate in the Lok Sabha she alleged that the government has moved from exerting pressure on institutions to launching what she described as an ldquoopen attackrdquo on democracySharp Criticism of Proposed Constitutional ChangesPriyanka Gandhi questioned the intent behind the proposed amendment arguing that while it appears to promote womenrsquos representation its deeper implications raise concerns reported PTIShe asked why the government cannot implement 33 per cent reservation for women within the existing 543 Lok Sabha seats instead of linking it to a future increase in seats through delimitation reported PTIAccording to her the proposal to expand the Lok Sabha to up to 850 seats based on delimitation creates uncertainty and shifts the focus away from immediate implementationConcerns Over Delimitation CommissionThe Congress leader expressed apprehension about the role of the proposed delimitation commission stating that a small group of members would effectively determine the political representation of states reported PTIShe warned that such a process could alter the balance of representation and impact federal principles ldquoOn the surface it looks fine but when examined closely it reflects political intentrdquo she said reported PTIAllegations of Pressure on InstitutionsPriyanka Gandhi accused the government of weakening democratic institutions over time including the Election Commission and the judiciary She said the current move marks a more direct challenge to democratic values reported PTIldquoIf this Constitution amendment bill is passed democracy will be finished in Indiardquo she said escalating her criticism during the debateCongress Reiterates Support for Womenrsquos ReservationDespite her criticism of the billrsquos structure Priyanka Gandhi clarified that the Congress continues to support womenrsquos reservation She said the party has consistently backed measures to increase womenrsquos participation in governance reported PTIShe traced the historical roots of the demand referring to early efforts within the Congress and subsequent initiatives taken by former leaders to advance womenrsquos representation in local bodies and legislaturesDebate Shifts From Reservation to DelimitationThe Congress leader argued that the current discussion is no longer centred on womenrsquos reservation but has shifted towards delimitation and its potential political consequences reported PTIShe said the provisions related to redrawing constituencies and increasing seats have changed the nature of the debate raising broader questions about representation and fairnessKey Bills Introduced in Lok SabhaThe government has introduced the Constitution One Hundred and ThirtyFirst Amendment Bill 2026 along with the Delimitation Bill and the Union Territories Laws Amendment BillThese legislations aim to enable the implementation of womenrsquos reservation in Parliament and assemblies including in Union Territories such as Delhi Puducherry and Jammu and KashmirWith inputs from PTI