Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized that the rejection of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, should not be seen as a setback for the Centre or the BJP. Instead, he described it as a significant blow to the nation by Congress and other Opposition parties. Rijiju made these comments following the Bill’s failure to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.
The proposed legislation aimed to introduce 33% reservation for women in Parliament and increase the House’s strength. Despite a lengthy debate, the Bill received 278 votes in favor and 211 against, falling short of the necessary threshold for approval. Consequently, the Centre decided not to proceed with two related delimitation Bills, treating each proposal separately.
Expressing disappointment over the outcome, Rijiju highlighted the missed opportunity to empower women in decision-making roles within legislative bodies. He criticized the Opposition, particularly Congress, for obstructing the Bill’s passage and labeled their actions as anti-women. Rijiju stressed that the failure was not a reflection of the government’s or party’s performance but a significant setback for women’s representation in governance.
Rijiju condemned the Opposition’s reaction, labeling it as an unfortunate display of an anti-women mindset. He criticized their celebration following the denial of women’s rights and reservations, emphasizing that excuses would not justify their actions. The Minister underscored the need for all political parties to recognize the importance of women’s representation and not revel in obstructing their progress.
Highlighting the conclusion of the Budget Session, Rijiju praised the government’s efforts under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership to address various challenges, including Left-wing extremism. He noted significant progress in combating extremism in different regions of the country, emphasizing the government’s commitment to eliminating such threats. Despite the achievements, Rijiju acknowledged the disappointment of failing to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill and reiterated the government’s dedication to empowering women in governance.
