Amid Kangana Row; Rahul Gandhi's Special Poll Pitch For Women; Assures 50% Reservation in Govt Jobs if Cong Gains Power

Amid a massive row over Congress leader Supriya Srinate’s derogatory comments on BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut, Rahul Gandhi said the party will ensure 50 per cent reservation for women in government jobs is voted to power in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The former Congress President also asserted that powerful women have the capability and strength to change the destiny of India and asked why even today only one in three women is employed.

“Isn’t the population of women in India 50%? Is the presence of women in higher secondary and higher education not 50%? If so, then why is their share in the system so less?” the former Congress chief said. “Congress wants – ‘Aadhi Abaadi Poora Haq’, we understand that women’s potential will be fully utilized only when women have equal contribution in the government running the country,” Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X.

Therefore, the Congress has decided that half the recruitment in all new government jobs should be reserved for women, he said.

“We are also in favour of immediate implementation of women’s reservation in Parliament and assemblies,” Gandhi said.

Women with secure income, future, stability and self-respect will truly become the strength of the society, he asserted. “Having women in 50% of government posts will give strength to every woman in the country and powerful women will change the destiny of India,” Gandhi asserted.

Congress’s Poll Promises to Women

Under its five guarantees of Nari Nyay, the Congress has promised Rs 1 lakh per annum direct cash transfer to be made to one woman from each of India’s poorest families.

The party has said 50 per cent of all new recruitment to the central government positions will be reserved for women if it comes to power.

It has also promised that the central government’s contribution to the monthly pay of ASHA, Anganwadi, and Mid-Day Meal workers will be doubled.

The party has further promised to appoint an Adhikaar Maitri in every panchayat to serve as a paralegal to educate women and assist them in the enforcement of their legal rights,” he said.

The Congress has also promised to set up ‘Savitribai Phule Hostels’, under which the central government will double the number of working women’s hostels in the country, with at least one hostel in each district.