Senior women legislator from East Shillong constituency and cabinet Minister Dr. M Ampareen Lyngdoh on Tuesday said 23 Male legislators in Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will have to relinquish their seats to honour women if the Women’s Reservation Bill which promises 33 percent seats in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies for women is passed.
Talking to reporters, Dr. Lyngdoh, who is presently the longest serving female legislator of Meghalaya said, She said in all probability if it works there will be 23 women representatives in the next house and it’s not going to be easy for the male politicians to swallow this bitter pill.
“In the state of Meghalaya in the current situation, three of us are already women, whether or not our seats will be especially reserved under the 33 percent women reservation bill or not is to be seen. I had a small discussion in the ruling room this morning trying to gauge the mood of our male friends in the political circles, let me tell you it’s not going to be easy to swallow this bitter pill,” the East Shillong legislator said.
Dr. Lyngdoh saud, “ In all probability if it works, we will have about 23 women in the next house, when will it be implemented, how much time will it take is something again which will factor in whether this bill will happen quickly or will it take time. Fact of the matter remains, 23 Male politicians will have to relinquish their seats to honour women in this legislation. It will be historical, we look forward, I must thank the honourable Prime Minister and his cabinet colleagues and I must say that poised or not before the 2024 elections, women stand to gain, now is the time for women to start gearing themselves up.”
Asked is there 23 women in the state of Meghalaya approximately who will come and sit in the august house and debate on important issues of the state, the Minister said, “Here is a big calling for women to now rise, prepare yourselves because believe it or not this is likely going to happen, despite the fact that like every other parliament bill, 50 percent ratification from the state may be expected, I don’t know, I am yet to study the entire layout of the bill.”
Health minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, while expressing her elation as the 33% women reservation bill is tabled, she emphasised that this moment signifies a jubilant day for women across the nation.
“ Do not underestimate the strength of a woman…… don’t say that women are not ready, if you do bring this historic change of legislation, believe me there are enough women who will rise to the occasion and it is always a practice in the state of Meghalaya that most male candidates win because of their women’s support. That has been established by several researchers. It is already researched and already research indicates that women will be ready,” she added.