A special session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly is scheduled for Thursday to deliberate on the Women’s Reservation (Amendment) Bill, which has sparked a national political debate. Governor Anandiben Patel has summoned the Assembly for its second session of 2026 at 11 a.m.
In anticipation of the session, both the ruling BJP and the Opposition, including the Samajwadi Party and Congress, have escalated their political criticisms. The BJP has accused the Opposition of being “anti-women,” while the Opposition has alleged that the government is using the women’s reservation issue for electoral gains.
The Women’s Reservation Bill, aimed at increasing women’s representation in legislatures, recently faced a setback in the Lok Sabha, leading to strong reactions from various political parties. The BJP has heightened its criticism of the Congress and its allies, claiming that they obstructed a measure intended to empower women.
The proposed legislation sought to allocate 33 percent reservation for women in Parliament and also proposed expanding the House’s strength. Despite a lengthy debate, it fell short of the required two-thirds majority, receiving 298 votes in favor and 230 against. This outcome has deepened the political divide between the ruling NDA and the Opposition INDIA bloc.
