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Prime Minister Narendra Modi mounted a strong offensive against opposition parties after the Women’s Reservation Bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, holding them responsible for obstructing a major reform aimed at enhancing women’s political participation. In a national address, Modi apologised to the women of the country and said their aspirations had been held back due to what he described as politics driven by narrow interests.
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, designed to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies ahead of the 2029 elections, fell short of the required two-thirds majority. Of the 528 votes cast, 298 MPs supported the bill while 230 opposed it, leaving it well below the 352 votes needed for passage. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla confirmed that the bill had not been approved, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju indicated that the government would not move forward with related legislation.
PM Targets Opposition, Flags “Pattern of Delay”
In his address, Modi named Congress, DMK, TMC, and Samajwadi Party as responsible for blocking the bill, accusing them of repeatedly stalling women’s empowerment by raising procedural objections. He said the country now recognises this pattern and understands the reasons behind it.
The Prime Minister also criticised the conduct witnessed in Parliament, stating that the defeat of a proposal centred on women’s welfare was met with visible celebration by some opposition members. He described this as an affront to the dignity and self-respect of women and said such actions would leave a lasting impact. Modi added that women across the country were closely observing political developments and would respond accordingly.
Bill Details and Core Dispute
The proposed amendment sought to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 816 seats through a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. This expansion was intended to enable the implementation of a one-third reservation for women. The bill also proposed increasing the number of seats in state and Union Territory assemblies to ensure similar representation.
However, opposition parties opposed linking the reservation with delimitation. Congress leaders stated that they support women’s reservation in principle but objected to the framework of the bill, arguing that the delimitation process could reduce the representation of southern states. Rahul Gandhi said the proposal carried a broader political motive and claimed it aimed to alter the political map. Priyanka Gandhi called on the government to reintroduce an earlier version of the women’s reservation bill that had wider political consensus.
War of Words Intensifies
Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the opposition of blocking the bill, while BJP spokesperson Gopal Krishna Agarwal described the development as a “black day” and said the opposition had lost an opportunity to support women’s empowerment. Smriti Irani stated that the bill was intended to empower ordinary women with political aspirations and not to create a new vote bank.
The BJP also held protests across the country, accusing the opposition of being “anti-women”. BJP MP Hema Malini said women nationwide were disappointed and that protests reflected their anger. Yogender Chandolia said the government had not introduced the bill for political credit and expressed confidence that voters would respond in future elections.
Opposition Pushback and Counterclaims
The opposition, meanwhile, said it would write to the Prime Minister demanding implementation of the earlier women’s reservation framework. Parties within the INDIA bloc announced plans to hold press conferences across the country to reiterate their support for reservations while opposing the delimitation-linked model.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi challenged the government to bring back the earlier bill. Rahul Gandhi further alleged that the proposal was designed to weaken southern states’ representation. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee criticised the government, claiming the bill was introduced to divide the country and gain political advantage.
A Politically Charged Moment
Modi also stated that the opposition would face consequences for opposing the bill, asserting that women voters are aware and attentive to political actions. He said the government remains committed to implementing women’s reservation by 2029 and has directed ministers to take the issue to the grassroots and highlight the opposition’s stance.
Framing the development as a missed opportunity of historic significance, the Prime Minister said the choice made in Parliament would resonate beyond the House. As the political confrontation sharpens, the failure of the Women’s Reservation Bill has emerged as a central issue, setting the stage for an intense battle over representation, federal balance, and electoral accountability.
