Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 8.30 pm on Saturday, a day after a key Bill linked to women’s reservation failed to pass in the Lok Sabha.
Address announced after Parliamentary developments
"The Prime Minister will address the nation at 8.30 PM (April 18, Saturday)," an official said.
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The address comes amid heightened political focus following Friday’s developments in the Parliament, where the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill did not secure the required support. However, there is no confirmation yet on the subject of the address, triggering speculations.
Focus likely on women’s reservation
Per The Times of India, sources indicate that Modi is expected to speak on the issue of implementing the 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures, along with the broader developments surrounding the Bill.
The proposed legislation aimed to enable the operationalisation of the women’s quota before the 2029 general elections. It included a plan to increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 after a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.
Numbers fall short in Lok Sabha
The Bill required a two-thirds majority to pass. During voting on Friday night, 298 members supported the proposal, while 230 voted against it.
Out of 528 members who participated in the vote, at least 352 votes were needed for approval. The ruling BJP-led alliance was unable to meet this threshold, resulting in the Bill’s defeat.
What the Bill proposed
The government’s plan also included increasing the number of seats in state and Union Territory assemblies to accommodate the 33 per cent reservation for women.
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With the Bill now stalled, attention is likely to turn to the next steps, as the Prime Minister prepares to address the nation on the issue later in the evening.
