Mamata Banerjee Says 50% Quota Already Exists for Women in State Rural and Civic Bodies

PTI, Apr 17, 2026, Kolkata: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said the TMC will support the women's quota Bill but not the delimitation Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha by the Narendra Modi government.

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill to tweak the women's quota law was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday after a division of votes. "We will support the Women's Reservation Bill, but we are not in favour of the delimitation Bill," Mamata said while addressing an election rally at the Dum Dum Central Jail ground.

She said 50 per cent reservation for women already exists in West Bengal's panchayats and municipal bodies. The TMC will fight this Centre's move at every step, Mamata asserted at her party's poll rally here.

Opposing the Centre's move, she alleged that "the BJP brought the Delimitation Bill while keeping the women's reservation Bill at the front". "The BJP is trying to increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha to nearly 850 through the Delimitation Bill. It will break the country into pieces," the TMC supremo said.

Accusing the NDA government at the Centre of resorting to "illegality" in introducing the Bills, Mamata said: "As a former MP, I know that without a two-thirds majority, a Constitution Amendment Bill cannot be passed."

Criticising the Modi government over Central agency raids and summons on TMC candidates, the Chief Minister said she had never seen such a situation. "I charge the Prime Minister of misusing the agencies," Mamata stated. The TMC supremo accused the BJP-led Centre of being the "demolisher of democracy".

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister alleged the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre was using the proposed amendment to the women's quota law in Parliament as a front for the Delimitation Bill that would "break the country into pieces".

Accusing the BJP of playing a "dirty game", Mamata said: "These actions will have consequences someday; I will definitely take legal action."

Commenting on an Income Tax department raid on TMC candidate Debasish Kumar on Friday, the Chief Minister said his constitutional right to campaign was being hampered.

Claiming that the BJP cannot fight her politically, Mamata challenged the saffron party to a direct fight. "They cannot fight me, so they are disturbing my party and my people," she said.