New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reached out to political parties, urging all to join hands in the national interest, as the government works to build consensus for the passage of the delimitation-linked Women's Reservation Bill.
Speaking at Vijaya Dashami celebrations in the capital, Modi urged people to adopt a 'Nation First' pledge. He said the forces that inflict harm on the country, those who divide society and a mindset 'that hates our culture' are the enemies of the nation.
Modi said 'Ram Rajya' is considered a benchmark of good governance, where there is no discrimination, everyone receives justice, equal opportunities are available and the purpose of power is public welfare. Citing a Sanskrit verse, he said all institutions and political parties must stand together for the national interest and fight the country's enemies.
His comments came amid protests by the Opposition seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
A move to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and assemblies and raise Lok Sabha seats to a maximum of 815 from 543 was defeated in the Lok Sabha in April for want of a two-thirds majority.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to the Prime Minister demanding an all-party meeting before any fresh bill. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju replied to Kharge on Monday, saying the government values the participation of all parties on matters of national importance. Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh posed three questions to the government, asking whether it had a firm new delimitation proposal. Kharge is scheduled to meet Modi on October 21.