Mayawati's Fierce Attack: Calls Congress a Chameleon and Targets BJP-SP Over Women's Reservation Bill:

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati has launched a blistering attack on the major political players in India, including the BJP, Congress, and Samajwadi Party. Speaking on the historic Women's Reservation Bill (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam), the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister didn't mince words, accusing these parties of political hypocrisy and historical neglect of the marginalized sections.

"Congress is Like a Chameleon": The Sharp Jibe

Mayawati compared the Congress party to a "chameleon" (Girgit), suggesting that the party changes its stance based on political convenience. She pointed out that while Congress is now championing the cause of women's reservation, it did little to ensure the inclusion of Dalit, Tribal, and OBC women during its long tenure in power. According to her, Congress’s current support is merely a tactical move to regain lost ground.

The "Quota Within Quota" Demand

The core of Mayawati's criticism lies in the exclusion of a separate quota for OBC and minority women within the 33% reservation. She reiterated that without a "Quota within Quota," the benefits of this bill will only reach "elite" women, leaving the most vulnerable sections behind. She warned that the BJP and Congress are "hand-in-glove" to deprive the Bahujan Samaj of its rightful share in legislative representation.

Targeting BJP and SP's "Double Standards"

Mayawati did not spare the ruling BJP or the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP).

On BJP: She accused the saffron party of bringing the bill only for electoral gains ahead of upcoming polls, questioning the delay in its implementation (due to the census and delimitation clauses).

On SP: She took a dig at the Samajwadi Party, reminding the public of their past opposition to similar bills and accusing them of creating a "theatre of protest" while actually being indifferent to the empowerment of Dalit and backward-class women.

The Path Ahead for BSP

While the BSP supported the bill in Parliament, Mayawati clarified that the support was for the "principle of reservation" and not an endorsement of the way it has been structured. She called upon her cadres to expose the "conspiracy" of the mainstream parties and to fight for the representation of the "shudra" and "atishudra" communities in the corridors of power.