MP Assembly Sees Walkout Amidst Procedural Clash Over Women’s Quota Resolution
A repetitive move by Congress was seen in Madhya Pradesh’s Friday Assembly, where the party members of Congress walked out when Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar refused to accept their private members resolution bill expecting 50% reservation for women along with OBC women inclusion in local body elections.
This unprecedented move sparked a furious debate with the Congress, alleging that BJP government of being against women and OBC people. The honourable speaker maintained decorum and said his decision is based on legislative rule and constitutional limitations.
The belligerent resolution was introduced by MLA Congress Jitu Patwari. It called for a 50% quota for women, specifically including women from Other Backward Classes (OBCs), in panchayat and urban local body elections across the state. The congress described the resolution as a significant move towards empowering women, ensuring their equal representation from bottom to upper level of governance.
Speaker Cites Constitutional Bounds
Tomar, the speaker, rejected the motion saying that it was “not in order” because it referred to the constitutional amendment. Tomar argued based on Rule 96 of the MP Assembly Rules of Procedure, which states that “resolutions relating to amendment of the Constitution are not in order as such power belongs to Parliament alone.” Tomar added, “the resolution pertains to a constitutional amendment and this is what Parliament does, therefore not in order.”
Also Read: Women’s Reservation Bill Fails in Lok Sabha 2026 – Vote Count, Debate & Political Reactions
Congress Challenges Ruling, Cites Precedent
LoP Umang Singhar strongly opposed the decision of the Speaker, asserting that the State Assembly alone enjoys the powers to enact resolutions suggesting changes in the Constitution by the Centre. He cited previous occasions where resolutions were passed by the MP Assembly.
“He particularly remembers the passing of a resolution by the Assembly in the previous Congress government that called for OBC reservation in local bodies. Similarly a resolution was passed in 2007 stating that the centre make amendments due to respect to the Constitution aligning with OBCs.”
“The Assembly had already passed a resolution recommending that the Centre make amendments to the Constitution concerning the OBCs. Therefore, the ruling of the Speaker is wrong,” argued Singhar.
BJP Defends Speaker’s Decision
In this case, the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Kailash Vijayvargiya, stepped up to save the Speaker and proved his stance. He provided the distinction by saying that though there is a possibility to bring forward a resolution in the State Assembly regarding any amendment to the constitution, it will not be possible to implement the same through another resolution. As stated by him, “A State Assembly cannot pass a resolution for implementing a constitutional amendment.”
Walkout and Accusations
After the adamant refusal of the Speaker to re-think on the issue, the members of the Congress walked out of the Assembly. While leaving the assembly, Singhar made a clear statement about the BJP party: the BJP government is anti-women and against OBC as they are not allowing them to discuss the resolution bill.
Madhya Pradesh is seen in political tension regarding its decision of reservation and representation policies. It has highlighted the imperative procedure of political movements between the powers of State Legislature and the Constitution of India.
