Reviving Panchayati Raj system more urgent than raising Lok Sabha strength to ensure personal political survival: Congress

This statement touches upon two critical aspects of India's democratic framework: local governance and parliamentary representation. The Panchayati Raj system, constitutionally mandated by the 73rd Amendment Act, established a three-tier system of local self-government, aiming to decentralize power and foster grassroots democracy (Gram Swaraj). The Congress's critique focuses on the anticipated Delimitation Commission exercise post-2026. Delimitation is the act of redrawing the boundaries of Lok Sabha and State Assembly constituencies to reflect population changes, mandated by Article 82. Currently, the number of Lok Sabha seats is frozen at 543, based on the 1971 census, a freeze extended until 2026 by the 84th Amendment Act. The debate centers on whether the upcoming delimitation will lead to an increase in Lok Sabha seats, potentially altering the political balance between states with different population growth rates. The political critique suggests that prioritizing this expansion might serve narrow political interests rather than broader democratic deepening.

The concept of Gram Swaraj, envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi, advocates for village republics as the foundation of India's democratic structure. The 73rd Amendment Act operationalized this by creating the Gram Sabha as the foundational unit, comprising all registered voters in a village. Reviving the Panchayati Raj system requires addressing functional, financial, and administrative bottlenecks. Many states have not fully devolved the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule to Panchayats. Furthermore, Panchayats often lack independent revenue sources, relying heavily on state and central grants, which undermines their financial autonomy. Strengthening governance at this level is crucial for effective implementation of rural development schemes like MGNREGA and for fostering participatory democracy. The Congress's statement underscores the ongoing need to empower these local bodies beyond mere structural existence.

The 73rd Amendment Act was a landmark for women's political empowerment, mandating a minimum of 33% reservation for women in all tiers of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), including chairperson positions. This was a crucial step towards gender equity in political decision-making. Over the years, several states, such as Bihar and Kerala, have increased this reservation to 50%. The presence of women in PRIs has led to changes in governance priorities, often focusing more on local public goods like water, sanitation, and health. However, challenges remain, such as the phenomenon of 'Sarpanch Patis' (husbands wielding actual power on behalf of elected wives). The continued focus on strengthening the Panchayati Raj system is therefore inherently linked to sustaining and deepening women's political agency at the grassroots level, transforming them from mere participants to effective leaders.