West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent address to the nation on the women's reservation issue. In a post on X, she questioned both the content and the manner of the Prime Minister's speech, calling it misleading and politically motivated.
Her remarks came a day after the Centre failed to pass three constitutional amendment bills related to women's reservation in Parliament. Following that setback, the Prime Minister addressed the nation on Saturday evening, blaming opposition parties for blocking the legislation.
Mamata questions PM's address, raises accountability issue
In her post, Mamata Banerjee directly challenged the Prime Minister. She wrote, "Mr. Prime Minister, the next time you address the nation, have the courage to do so from the Floor of Parliament, where you are subject to scrutiny, challenge and accountability. "
She further criticised the tone of the address, stating, "What you did yesterday was cowardly, hypocritical and fork-tongued. You can feel power slipping through your fingers. And you are prepared to go to any extent to hold on for just a little while longer."
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The Chief Minister also questioned the timing of the speech, especially during ongoing elections in multiple states. Opposition parties have raised concerns over whether such an address, delivered through official platforms, aligns with the Model Code of Conduct in force in states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.
It is deeply unfortunate that the Prime Minister chose to mislead the nation rather than address it honestly.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 19, 2026
Let me put this on record. Trinamool Congress has always championed higher political representation for women. We have the highest proportion of female elected…
Questions on women's reservation and delimitation
Mamata Banerjee also raised concerns about the Centre's approach to the women's reservation bill. She wrote, "If this government was genuinely serious about this noble cause, why did it wait nearly three years after the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill on September 28, 2023? Why rush it through when several states are in election? And why couple it with Delimitation?"
The Trinamool Congress has consistently opposed delimitation, arguing that it could alter electoral boundaries for political gain. Reiterating her party’s stand, Mamata said, "Trinamool Congress has stood for women for decades. We will continue to. But we will not be lectured on a subject that the ruling dispensation neither understands nor respects."
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She also accused the Centre of using the issue for political purposes. According to her, attempts to link women's reservation with delimitation amount to "changing the Constitution" and could impact federal democracy.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, in his address, had described the failure to pass the bill as a major setback and blamed opposition parties, including Trinamool and Congress, for blocking it. He had also said he was "apologetic to the mothers and sisters of the country" and termed the situation a serious injustice.
The exchange highlights growing political tensions over the women's reservation issue, with both sides accusing each other of misleading the public and politicising a key reform measure.
