A day after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill on women’s reservation failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation. He criticized Congress, DMK, Trinamool Congress, and the Samajwadi Party for engaging in what he called “selfish politics.” Expressing regret over the Bill’s defeat, the Prime Minister lamented that opposition parties celebrated its failure, hindering efforts to ensure women’s representation.
Modi accused these parties of prioritizing their own interests over national and women’s interests. He warned of political repercussions for the opposition, stating that women would remember their opposition to the Bill. The Prime Minister emphasized that the defeat of the Bill contradicted the intentions of the Constitution’s framers and was aimed at expanding representation rather than taking away opportunities from anyone.
The proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed to provide 33% reservation for women in Parliament. Despite garnering 298 votes in favor, it fell short of the required two-thirds majority with 230 votes against. Modi highlighted that the Bill’s failure was a missed opportunity to grant women their rights before the 2029 polls, a demand pending for 40 years. He also accused the Congress of historically opposing women’s reservation measures and obstructing their implementation repeatedly.
