Bengaluru, April 11 Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje on Saturday criticised the Congress, accusing it of viewing national progress through a narrow "election-centric" lens.
This criticism comes after the Congress criticised the BJP-led Centre's move to amend the women's reservation law and its timing.
She appealed to political parties to accept the bill amending the Women's Reservation Act, urging them to nominate women from diverse professional fields.
The Union Cabinet recently cleared the draft bill for amendments to the law, the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (commonly known as the Women's Reservation Act), which will ensure an increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, with 273 seats reserved for women, and its implementation in the 2029 general elections.
The government has extended the budget session of Parliament, and a special three-day session will be held from April 16 to 18, where the amendment bill is expected to be passed.
The Congress on Friday accused the Narendra Modi government of "politicizing" the women's reservation law and asserted that the proposed delimitation exercise linked to it was "unconstitutional" and could have "grave consequences," warranting thorough deliberation after the ongoing assembly polls.
AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge has said that the Modi government is convening the session of Parliament from April 16 with the sole intention of securing political advantage, which is a "violation" of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), and is keen to pass the constitutional amendment Bill in "utmost haste".
West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are scheduled to go to polls later this month.
Addressing reporters, Karandlaje said, "The Congress sees everything through the election lens. I don't think that the debate on the women's reservation bill in Parliament will affect the state elections. Mallikarjun Kharge should clarify whether he is opposed to this bill or is discussing it now."
Questioning the stand of the Congress party on the women's reservation issue, she said, "There was a discussion on women's reservation during the previous UPA rule… only crocodile tears were shed for the issue, and they opposed it a few times. For them, a woman now means only Priyanka Gandhi. They don't want other women to come (into politics)."
She alleged, "They (Congress) don't want ordinary women to come to Parliament except the likes of Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. They will have to change their mentality otherwise today's women won't accept."
The Minister claimed that this bill was shelved during the UPA's 10-year tenure.
After becoming the PM, Narendra Modi emphasised on women's empowerment in all fields, she added.
Praising the PM for bringing the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, BJP Mahila Morcha State President C Manjula said that Mahila Morcha will organise women's conferences in all districts in this regard.
A signature campaign will be held in support of the Bill, starting Sunday in K R Puram under the leadership of Shobha Karandlaje.
"It will be held across the state. We are doing a missed call campaign to support the bill. Also, press conferences will be held at the division level. Bike and scooty rallies will be organized by Yuva Morcha," she added.