
‘2029 Elections To Be Held With Women's Reservation': Amit Shah
Last Updated:
Amit Shah announced that the 2029 elections will implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill, reserving one-third of seats for women.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the 2029 general elections will be held with a women's reservation, implementing the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam Bill. This bill aims to reserve one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
In an interview with the Times of India, Shah said, 'The 2029 elections will be held with women's reservation."
The Women's Reservation Bill was passed in September 2023 to increase women's representation in lawmaking processes.
When asked about the methods to balance southern states' concerns around delimitation with the demand of northern states that their representation in Parliament should be proportionate to their numbers, Shah said they will establish a very good balance, and no one will be dissatisfied.
'No one will have any reason to complain when the exercise is conducted. We will establish a very good balance, and no one will be dissatisfied. DMK is raising the issue only because of the 2026 assembly elections. Delimitation is not going to happen by then, and they know this," he said.
'No, it will never be restored. International treaties can't be annulled unilaterally, but we had the right to put them in abeyance, which we have done. The treaty preamble mentions that it was for the peace and progress of the two countries, but once that has been violated, there is nothing left to protect," he said.
'We will use water that rightfully belongs to India. Paani Rajasthan tak jayega. We will take the water that was flowing to Pakistan to Rajasthan by constructing a canal. Pakistan will be starved of the water that it has been getting unjustifiably," Shah added.
The Indus Waters Treaty was suspended with immediate effect after India-Pakistan ties deteriorated sharply following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives. India took a series of diplomatic decisions, such as expelling Pakistani nationals.
First Published:
June 21, 2025, 09:45 IST
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


News18
40 minutes ago
- News18
Who Is Sajid Tarar, Pakistani-American Businessman Who Brokered Trump–Asim Munir White House Lunch?
Last Updated: A vocal supporter of Donald Trump since 2016, Tarar founded The American Muslims for Trump, and is known for advocating conservative values within the Muslim-American community A rare private lunch between US President Donald Trump and Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, in the prestigious White House Cabinet Room dominated global headlines this week. According to Firstpost, this was only the second time in over two decades that a Pakistani military chief was hosted at such a level in Washington—the first being General Pervez Musharraf after the 9/11 attacks. As Trump discussed regional politics, the Isarel-Iran conflict and defence technology with Munir, there was buzz over who had been able to broker the high-level luncheon. Reports now suggest that it was Sajid Tarar, a Pakistani-American businessman, who orchestrated Munir's invitation during the latter's five-day US visit to strengthen bilateral ties. WHO IS SAJID TARAR? The businessman is a lawyer, activist, and Republican political figure based in Baltimore. Born in Mandi Bahauddin, Punjab, Pakistan, Tarar immigrated to the US in the 1980s–90s, studied law at the University of Baltimore, and became a US citizen. He runs multiple business interests and serves as President of Maximus Investment Group, dealing in finance and real estate. He's also the CEO of the Center for Social Change, a Baltimore-based non-profit focused on community programmes and social services. A vocal supporter of Donald Trump since 2016, he founded The American Muslims for Trump, and has spoken at Republican National Conventions and is known for advocating conservative values within the Muslim American community. He served as an advisor to Trump on Muslim‑American engagement and frequently appeared in conservative media defending the administration's policies. According to Times of India and Firstpost, Tarar's influence in Republican circles extends beyond political rhetoric. His son reportedly worked at the US State Department during Trump's first term, further signaling his integration into Washington's conservative establishment. He also advocates for improved India–Pakistan relations and has, in the past, praised PM Narendra Modi and encouraged regional peace initiatives. While the meeting made headlines for its setting, it also stirred controversy in Pakistan. As Moneycontrol and Economic Times point out, there was no official representation from Pakistan's civilian government. This raises concerns about the military conducting parallel diplomacy—a long-standing criticism in Pakistan's power structure. The fact that a private individual like Tarar could facilitate such a high-level engagement without the Foreign Office being involved has unsettled parts of Islamabad's civilian leadership. WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MEETING? According to top diplomatic sources in Washington, Trump laid out a series of sweeping demands and bold offers aimed at reshaping the regional power balance during the lunch meeting. Trump has reportedly asked Pakistan for unconditional military and strategic support, including access to air bases, ground logistics, and potentially sea routes—making Pakistan a critical player in any upcoming military theatre. In return, Trump has promised Pakistan unprecedented access to American defence technology—including 5th-generation stealth jets and advanced missile systems—along with significant financial aid. Trump reportedly urged Munir to 'distance Pakistan from Eastern blocs," including BRICS, and instead re-join the US-led security framework. The Trump–Munir meeting comes amid shifting global alliances, ongoing unrest in West Asia, and a changing power dynamic in South Asia. As reported by Moneycontrol, this private diplomacy could signal a future alignment where military figures bypass diplomats. With his increasing involvement in geopolitical dialogues, Sajid Tarar may be shaping a new model of diaspora-driven diplomacy—one that sidesteps traditional gatekeepers in both Washington and Islamabad. First Published:


Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Because matter became public?': Priyank Kharge gets nod for US visit; says Centre took 'U-turn'
Priyank Kharge (File photo) NEW DELHI: Karnataka minister Priyanka Kharge on Saturday said the Union government has taken a "U-turn" and granted him permission for an official visit to the United States. Also Read: 'Centre curbing Karnataka's fame,' alleges Priyank Kharge; calls US trip denial by govt 'improper' Kharge also highlighted that the ministry of external affairs (MEA) revoked its earlier decision and gave him an NOC on Thursday, after his press conference that day on the issue. "So in a U-turn, the Ministry of External Affairs has now decided to revoke its earlier decision and grant me a clearance for an official visit to the United States," the Karnataka IT minister wrote on X. The Congress leader, who is the son of party chief Mallikarjun Kharge, stated that he had applied for the June 14-27 tour on May 15, and alleged that he was denied permission without any official explanation. The timing of the NOC, he added, raised "serious questions" - why was the clearance denied in the first place, was the earlier order revoked only because the matter was made public, why should he travel to the US when key events pertaining to his programmes are already over or nearing completion, and would the MEA now not explain its earlier denial because it has now granted permission for the visit. "While the Centre gives us slogans like 'Make in India,' 'Digital India', 'National Quantum Mission' and 'India AI Mission,' the real work to realise these aspirations is happening here in Karnataka. They coin the vision, but when we do the work to bring investments, create jobs and position India as a global leader - they block us," Kharge said. These questions, he added, warrant an "urgent response" as Karnataka "deserves answers."


Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
HDK can neither win nor form government, asserts Shivakumar
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday hit out at Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy saying he will neither win nor form a government in Karnataka. Speaking to reporters at his Sadashivanagar residence, he said, 'Kumaraswamy had called on his supporters to get ready for a BJP-JDS government. I had then replied to him stating that I will present him a suit if he won the election and formed the government in 2028.' He was replying to a reporter who Kumaraswamy's statement that he wasn't that poor to take clothes from him. 'The Housing Minister has only transferred the quota of minorities from rural areas to urban area as the number of minorities is low in the rural areas. The quota is not being snatched from anyone to give it to minorities,' he clarified. 'As per the Sachar Committee report, minorities were given quota in rural areas also. But the quota was not being utilised as the number of minorities in rural areas was low. It is now being transferred from rural areas to urban areas. We are not snatching away anything from anyone. As much as 90% of the SC/STs have been given homes. The government can't provide funds unless they lay the foundation for the house,' he explained. 'Opposition parties are politicising this, let them do it. The government can't incur losses due to flats lying vacant. We had given the opportunity for SC/STs and their quota was over. We then transferred it to backward classes and general categories. We are a government which believes in equal life and equal share philosophy. Let them discuss our work in the Assembly session,' he added. Asked about B R Patil's accusation that houses are allotted under Rajiv Gandhi housing scheme only if bribes are paid, he said he was not aware of it.