Opposition Slams Modi’s Address After Women’s Reservation Bill Fails in Lok Sabha

The defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha has triggered a fierce political confrontation between the ruling BJP and Opposition parties. The bill, which sought to expand Lok Sabha seats and guarantee 33% reservation for women from 2029, fell short of the required two-thirds majority, securing 298 votes in favour against 230 opposed. It marked the Modi government’s first significant legislative defeat in Parliament.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation following the bill’s failure, framing it as a betrayal of Indian women by the Opposition. He directly accused Congress, DMK, TMC, and the Samajwadi Party of prioritising political interests over women’s empowerment, even comparing their stance to “foeticide.” Modi apologised to women voters and urged them to hold these parties accountable at the ballot box.

Opposition Fires Back

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Jairam Ramesh led a coordinated rebuttal, accusing Modi of weaponising an official national address during the model code of conduct for partisan purposes. They noted he mentioned Congress 59 times while offering little substance on women’s issues.

Demands for Immediate Implementation

Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, demanded the immediate revival of the 2023 Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam without tying it to delimitation. They argued the existing law could be enacted within the current framework, calling the government’s insistence on delimitation a deliberate stalling tactic.

Women currently hold just over 14% of Lok Sabha seats, making the stakes of this legislative battle significant for gender representation in Indian democracy.