Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sharply criticised Opposition parties after a Constitution amendment bill linked to women’s reservation and expansion of the Lok Sabha failed to pass in Parliament. In a 30-minute televised address, he accused the Congress and its allies of blocking a “pious attempt” aimed at strengthening women’s participation in governance.
The bill, formally the 131st Constitution Amendment, proposed increasing the Lok Sabha’s strength to 850 seats and implementing 33 per cent reservation for women ahead of the 2029 elections. It was defeated after Opposition parties voted against it, despite a late offer from Union Home Minister Amit Shah to include a 50 per cent proportional rise in seats for all states.
‘Honest intention was aborted’
“It (bill) was brought with good intentions, honesty, and was a pious attempt. It was an attempt to make women co-travellers in the country’s progress… But this honest intention was aborted by the Congress and its allies. These four parties are responsible for this bhrun hatya (female foeticide),” Modi said.
He named the Congress, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress and DMK as the key parties responsible for blocking the legislation, warning they would “face the consequences”.
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Opposition’s concerns and government’s stand
The government had assured that increasing seats would not disturb the proportional representation of states. However, the assurance was not included in the bill text. This became a sticking point, with Opposition parties arguing that the move could enable delimitation based on the 2011 Census, bypassing a fresh population count.
Dismissing these objections, Modi said they were “excuses” aimed at denying women their due rights.
‘Dynastic parties protecting interests’
“For us, the nation’s interest is paramount…This is exactly what has happened this time too. The women of this country will bear the brunt of the selfish politics of the Congress, the DMK, the TMC and Samajwadi Party,” he said.
Referring to scenes in Parliament after the bill’s defeat, he added, “Yesterday millions of women were watching developments in Parliament… when the bill… was not passed, these dynastic parties were celebrating… it was a blow to the self-esteem of women.”
He further claimed that although the government lacked the required two-thirds majority, it enjoyed “100% support” from women voters.
Opposition ‘taking women for granted’
“They are forgetting that the women of the 21st century keep an eye on every development… Therefore, for the sin that the opposition has committed by opposing women’s reservation, they will be punished for sure,” Modi said.
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He also rejected concerns that southern states could lose representation, stating the proposal aimed to “give something or the other to everyone” and ensure balanced representation across regions.
Sharp attack on Congress
Calling the Congress “anti-reform”, Modi said the party has historically opposed major policy changes. “There’s one pattern that emerges, to oppose and lie about any reform,” he said, adding that the party had “lost ground” and was acting “like a parasite, riding on the tailcoats of regional parties”.
He also alleged that Opposition leaders feared losing influence if women from outside political families gained power.
Opposition leaders rejected the Prime Minister’s remarks. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “A desperate and frustrated PM with nothing meaningful to show for the last 12 years, turned an official address to the nation, into a political speech, full of mudslinging, and outright lies.”
