Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sharply criticized opposition parties following the failure of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which sought to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Speaking during a cabinet meeting, the prime minister reportedly said the opposition had made a “mistake” by not supporting the legislation and would have to face the consequences, particularly from women voters across the country.

The bill fell short of the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha after an intense debate that stretched late into the night. While 298 members voted in favor of the proposal, 230 opposed it, preventing its passage. The legislation had been positioned by the government as a historic step toward enhancing women’s representation in Indian politics, a long-debated reform that has seen multiple unsuccessful attempts over the years.

According to sources, Mr. Modi urged his cabinet colleagues to take the message of the opposition’s stance to every corner of the country. He reportedly stated that opposition parties had “let down the women of the country” and should be held accountable. The remarks underscore the political significance of the bill’s failure, with the ruling government seeking to frame it as a missed opportunity for gender equity in governance.

Also Read: Rajnath Singh Criticises Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Magician’ Remark In Lok Sabha

Opposition parties, however, maintained that their resistance was not to the idea of women’s reservation itself but to the government’s approach. Leaders expressed concerns that the proposed changes, particularly those linked to future delimitation exercises, could alter the balance of representation among states. Southern states, in particular, feared a potential reduction in their parliamentary representation once the total number of Lok Sabha seats increases.

During the parliamentary debate, Mr. Modi attempted to address these concerns, assuring members that no injustice would be done to any region. Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed this assurance, stating that representation for southern states would be preserved or could even see a marginal increase. Both leaders accused the opposition, including the Congress party, of raising unfounded objections to derail the bill.

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi argued that the government was using the women’s reservation issue as a political strategy to reshape the electoral map in its favor. His party colleague Priyanka Gandhi Vadra described the bill’s defeat as a demonstration of opposition unity. Meanwhile, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized the opposition’s stance, calling it a “black stain” and warning that they would face public backlash for blocking what he termed a historic reform.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Lauds Priyanka Gandhi’s Impact In Lok Sabha Speech