PM Modi on 33% women's reservationNEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday urged political parties to facilitate the implementation of the proposed 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies so that women can “actively contribute to shaping India’s policies.”He made the call while addressing the nation from the iconic Red Fort in Delhi on the 80th Independence Day.“Today, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, standing under the shadow of the Tricolour, I earnestly appeal to and urge all political parties of our nation: Come forward and celebrate the strength and capability of our women. Step forward in honour of our women, and as swiftly as possible, ensure our mothers and sisters receive 33% representation in the State Legislative Assemblies and the Lok Sabha so that they can actively contribute to shaping India’s policies,” the prime minister said.PM Modi also highlighted the contribution of women representatives in various elected bodies and pointed to the passage of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament aimed at strengthening women’s representation in politics.“My dear fellow citizens, today in Panchayats, Municipalities, and Municipal Corporations, our women public representatives are guiding the nation in very large numbers, solving local challenges, and providing exceptionally capable and empowering leadership. Keeping this in mind, we passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament,” he added.However, he noted that “for one reason or another”, in the political arena over the last 40 years, the dream of greater representation for women had “persistently fallen victim to political games and political battlegrounds.”The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, was passed by both Houses of Parliament but has not moved ahead with implementation after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill fell in the Lok Sabha on April 17, failing to secure the constitutionally required two-thirds majority of members present and voting.The Bill proposed implementing 33% reservation for women in legislatures and delimiting Lok Sabha constituencies.(With ANI inputs)