CPI Leader Alleges Ulterior Motives Behind Women's Reservation Seat Increase

Senior Communist Party of India (CPI) leader R. Mutharasan criticized the BJP-led Central government during an election campaign in Dindigul, Tamil Nadu. He alleged that the proposal to increase parliamentary and state assembly seats under the pretext of implementing 33% reservation for women is driven by ulterior political motives. Mutharasan argued that if the government genuinely intended to empower women, it should implement the quota within the existing 543 seats rather than expanding the total to 850. He claimed this expansion strategy aims to permanently secure BJP power by reducing seat allocation for Southern States, particularly Tamil Nadu, which has successfully implemented population control measures, while increasing representation for Northern States. Campaigning for DMK candidate I. P. Senthil Kumar, Mutharasan warned that voting for the AIADMK is equivalent to supporting the BJP, accusing AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami of aligning with forces that threaten Tamil Nadu's rights. He highlighted the DMK regime's welfare schemes and promised industrial improvements for Dindigul’s weaving and lock-making sectors, urging voters to reject the AIADMK-BJP alliance to safeguard regional interests.