Patna: At a rally in Patna on Monday, leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused opposition parties of sidelining women’s voices, as thousands gathered for a women’s conference aimed at mobilising political support ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
The event, titled “Jan Akrosh Mahila Sammelan” and organised by the party’s women’s wing, the BJP Mahila Morcha, drew participants from across the state. Held near Gandhi Maidan, the gathering took place in sweltering heat, with attendees at times moving into shaded areas while continuing to listen to speeches and raise slogans demanding greater rights and representation.
Addressing reporters on the sidelines, Shreyasi Singh, a minister in the Bihar government, criticised opposition parties including the Indian National Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha. She alleged that they relied on “tokenistic schemes” and rhetoric while failing to ensure substantive political participation for women.
Singh further claimed that issues concerning women’s dignity were often disrupted in legislative forums, accusing opposition members of attempting to silence such debates. She linked the question of representation to broader governance outcomes, arguing that increased participation of women in leadership roles could strengthen sectors such as health and education.
The remarks also touched on the long-debated Women’s Reservation Bill. Singh alleged that opposition parties were reluctant to advance women’s representation in legislatures, despite public commitments.
Framing the issue as one extending beyond party politics, Singh said the demand for greater representation was tied to the dignity of women across the country. BJP leaders at the event emphasised that the scale of women’s participation seen during elections should be reflected in legislative bodies as well.
Senior party figures, including Bihar’s chief minister, Samrat Choudhary, were expected to attend the conference later in the day, as the party sought to consolidate support among women voters in the state.
