NEW DELHI: Calling for an apolitical approach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told Lok Sabha members that he is willing to use the words “guarantee” and “promise” to assure MPs that the proposed delimitation preceding the implementation of the women quota will not discriminate against any state.
He said a vision of “nation-first” should supersede all considerations, and “I want to say that whether it is South or North, small or big state. The delimitation process will not do injustice to anyone. I can use the term ‘guarantee’ or ‘promise’ to assuage concerns of members, ” he said.
“When our intention is clear, we need no word play on the issue, ” he said, cautioning MPs that we should not remain in the illusion that we are giving any largesse to women.
He warned that if the Opposition opposes the women’s quota bill, then the exercise will bring political gains to him and urged them not to politicise the issue.
“You can take the credit. I am willing to give advertisements with photos of whoever you want. I am giving you a ‘blank cheque’ to take the credit for the women’s quota, ” he said.