Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to speak to the nation at 8:30 P.M. on Saturday, focusing on the Women’s Reservation Bill. Earlier, after the Parliament session, leaders from various parties met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Additionally, PM Modi led a crucial Cabinet Committee on Security meeting in New Delhi, emphasizing India’s security and economic concerns amidst the West Asia conflict.
The Cabinet meeting followed the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lower House, which aimed to introduce women’s reservation in legislatures by 2029 and increase Lok Sabha’s strength. Despite 298 members supporting the Bill, it fell short with 230 votes against it out of 528 participating members, needing 352 votes for passage. The proposed legislation intended to raise Lok Sabha seats to a maximum of 850, based on a delimitation exercise from the 2011 Census, to implement the women’s reservation law before the 2029 General Elections.
Post the Bill’s rejection, BJP labeled it a ‘black day,’ accusing Congress and other Opposition parties of betraying women. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the Opposition, warning them of facing women’s wrath nationwide for damaging their credibility. Meanwhile, Congress and allies urged immediate implementation of the 2023 quota law, denouncing the government’s politicization of the issue. Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, expressed support for women’s reservation but objected to its association with delimitation.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of attempting to amend the constitutional framework and consolidate executive power. He highlighted Congress’s past support for the Women’s Reservation Bill in 2023 but rejected the current linkage with delimitation, deeming it unacceptable to the Opposition.
