NEW DELHI, April 18: Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on the Opposition on Friday, expressing outrage over the defeat of key legislation related to women's reservations in the Lok Sabha and accusing the Congress, Trinamool Congress, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and Samajwadi Party of collectively undermining women's empowerment.

Taking to the social media platform X, Mr. Shah said it was shameful that the Opposition parties were celebrating the defeat of a Bill that would have strengthened women's political representation. "This is not the first time Congress and its allies have done this. They have consistently adopted the same stance on critical issues concerning national development and women's empowerment," he said.

The Home Minister asserted that the Congress had no genuine interest in national development, women's rights, or empowerment, and that all the parties that had voted against the Bill had together betrayed Indian women who had been fighting for their rights for decades.

Mr. Shah warned that the Opposition would face a decisive political response from the women of India in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. "The women of this country will give a fitting answer to the parties that opposed the Women's Reservation Bill," he said, adding that no political force could afford to take women's aspirations lightly.

The 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, which sought to fast-track the implementation of the one-third reservation for women in legislative bodies, was defeated in the Lok Sabha on Thursday after the ruling National Democratic Alliance failed to secure the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment. Of the 528 members who participated in the division vote, 298 supported the Bill while 230 voted against it, leaving the government 54 votes short of the required 352.

NEW DELHI, April 18: The Central government's ambitious attempt to fast-track the implementation of women's reservations in legislative bodies suffered a significant setback on Thursday when the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha, falling short of the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment.

Of the 528 members who participated in the division voting, 298 voted in favour of the Bill while 230 voted against it. The Bill required 352 votes for passage, and with the ruling National Democratic Alliance failing to bridge a gap of 54 votes, Speaker Om Birla officially declared the Bill defeated.

Following the defeat, the Central government also withdrew two related pieces of legislation — proposals pertaining to amendments to Union Territory laws and delimitation. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju made the announcement in the House.

BJP members, incensed by the outcome, staged a dharna outside Parliament in protest.

Early implementation of women's quota was the objective

The 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill had been introduced with the specific aim of reducing the long wait for the women's reservation law to come into force. Parliament had already passed the 106th Constitutional Amendment Act — the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam — in 2023 with unanimous support. However, that legislation contains a provision linking its implementation to the completion of a fresh census and subsequent delimitation exercise, effectively pushing enforcement to 2029 or later.

To circumvent this delay, the Central government proposed expanding the Lok Sabha's strength from the current 543 seats to 850, and carving out a dedicated women's quota within this expanded House without disturbing existing SC, ST, and general category seats.

Three days of special sessions, 21 hours of debate

The Bills had been introduced in the House on April 16 following three days of special sessions convened specifically for the purpose. Deliberations stretched over 21 hours, with sharp exchanges between the treasury and opposition benches. A particularly heated confrontation took place between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The Opposition, particularly parties representing southern States, raised strong objections, contending that the delimitation exercise as proposed carried the risk of reducing parliamentary representation for States in the south. They argued that delimitation should be undertaken only after a caste census, maintaining that social justice could not be achieved otherwise.

Amit Shah assures 50 per cent seat increase for all States

Responding to concerns about regional imbalance, Mr. Shah gave categorical assurances on the floor of the House that seats in every State would be increased by at least 50 per cent and that no State would be disadvantaged. He urged members not to divide the country along north-south lines, asserting that all States enjoyed equal rights under the Constitution.

In a significant gesture, Mr. Shah offered to formally amend the Bill on the spot if members felt the 50 per cent guarantee was not explicitly stated. "Give me one hour and I will incorporate it as an official amendment," he declared.

Had the Bill cleared the Lok Sabha, it would have proceeded to the Rajya Sabha for consideration. With its defeat at the first stage, the government's bid to advance the timeline for women's reservations has, for now, come to a halt. The Centre is yet to indicate its next course of action.

Special Parliament session from April 16 to take up Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam amendments; BJP issues three-line whip

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to the floor leaders of both Houses of Parliament on Sunday, calling upon members across party lines to unite in support of amendment bills linked to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, and declared that the women's reservation quota would come into effect from the 2029 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The Central government has extended the ongoing Budget Session by three days, with a special sitting of both Houses scheduled from April 16 to 18 for the purpose.

In his letter, Mr. Modi said the time had come to implement the women's reservation law in its true spirit, and that his government had decided to fast-track the legislation after extensive consultations. He urged all Members of Parliament to participate in what he described as a historic debate beginning April 16. "If the Women's Reservation Act comes into effect from 2029, India's democratic institutions will gain new strength, public trust in them will deepen, and participation and representation in governance will increase," he wrote.

The Prime Minister recalled that reservation for women in legislatures had remained a matter of discussion for several decades, but his government had enacted the law as early as 2023. He described the day of the Bill's passage as an inspiring milestone in India's parliamentary history, witnessed by the entire world. He called upon MPs of all parties to come together in the special session and usher in historic change.

Three-Line Whip Issued

The BJP issued a three-line whip to its members in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha on Sunday, directing them to be present without fail for the duration of the three-day special session and not to avail any leave during the period. The party asked its MPs to strictly comply with the whip and extend full cooperation in ensuring the passage of the amendment bills.

Two Key Amendments Proposed

The government is learnt to be considering two significant amendments during the special session. The first relates to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023, which currently stipulates that women's reservations can be implemented only after a fresh census and delimitation exercise — a condition that would have pushed implementation to 2034. The proposed amendment seeks to delink the law from the requirement of a fresh census, enabling reservations to be implemented on the basis of the 2011 census data from the 2029 elections onwards.

The second proposed amendment pertains to the delimitation law. Rather than carving out 33 per cent of existing seats for women — which would reduce the number of seats available to male legislators — the government is understood to be considering an expansion of the total number of seats in Parliament and State Assemblies. Reports indicate that the number of Lok Sabha constituencies could be increased from the present 543 to 816, which would result in 273 seats being reserved for women from 2029. A proportionate increase in seats in State Assemblies is also being considered on the same basis.

Keralam: In the backdrop of polling concluding across Kerala on Thursday, Andhra Pradesh BJP State Media Incharge and Kongad Assembly Constituency Election Incharge Dr. Kilaru Dilip called on BJP National General Secretary and Kerala Election Incharge Vinod Tawde at the party's Kerala State headquarters and presented a comprehensive post-poll analysis of the campaign conducted in the Kongad constituency.

During the meeting, Dr. Dilip submitted a detailed report covering the breadth of campaign activities undertaken in the constituency, ground-level organisational efforts, the current state of the party's structural presence in the segment, and the measures deemed necessary for strengthening the organisation in the days ahead. He also apprised the senior leader of the enthusiasm visible among party workers, the perceptible shift in voter sentiment, polling trends observed on the ground, and the projected electoral outcome.

Vinod Tawde responded to the briefing with appreciation, observing that the in-depth feedback and field-level analysis presented by Dr. Dilip would prove invaluable in charting the party's future course in the constituency and the state. He commended the dedicated grassroots work undertaken during the election campaign and praised the commitment and discipline shown by party workers throughout the electoral exercise.

Dr. Dilip, expressing gratitude for the encouragement and guidance extended by the national leadership, noted that such sustained support from the party's senior hierarchy served as a source of renewed motivation for workers on the ground. He affirmed that the local BJP ranks remained energised and fully committed to building a stronger organisational foundation in the coming period, with the shared goal of realising a "Viksit Kerala" — a vision of a developed and prosperous Kerala — firmly in view.

Keralam: As polling concluded in Kerala on Thursday, the Bharatiya Janata Party expressed strong confidence of a decisive victory in the Aranmula assembly constituency, with party incharge Valluru Jayaprakash Narayana predicting a clear win for BJP's star candidate and former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan.

Speaking to reporters shortly after polling ended on Thursday, Valluru Jayaprakash Narayana said the ground situation in Aranmula was overwhelmingly in favour of the BJP. "We are absolutely confident that Kummanam Rajasekharan will emerge victorious from Aranmula. The mood of the voters has been unmistakably in our favour throughout the campaign," he stated.

The BJP incharge pointed to a significant split in Christian community votes as a key factor that would benefit the party. "Christian votes have been divided this time, which weakens the traditional UDF stronghold in this constituency. This is a crucial shift that we believe will reflect decisively in the final count," he said.

Jayaprakash Narayana further highlighted an unprecedented consolidation of Hindu votes behind the BJP. "We have witnessed a remarkable polarisation of Hindu votes — particularly among the Nair community and SC Hindu voters — towards the BJP and Kummanam Rajasekharan. This is a historic coming-together of communities who believe that Kummanam is the right leader for Aranmula," he added.

The BJP incharge said the combination of a divided opposition vote bank and a consolidated Hindu vote base made the party's path to victory in Aranmula clear. "The people of Aranmula have made their choice. Kummanam Rajasekharan will win, and win convincingly," Valluru Jayaprakash Narayana asserted on Thursday.

KERALAM: The election campaign for National Democratic Alliance candidate Dr. Renu Suresh in the Kongad Assembly constituency concluded on Tuesday with a massive show of strength, drawing enthusiastic participation from party workers and supporters across the constituency, said BJP Election In-charge for Kongad Dr. Kilaru Dilip.

Addressing mediapersons at the concluding press meet, Dr. Kilaru Dilip said the final day of campaigning witnessed a vibrant public rally, extensive door-to-door outreach, and high-voltage interactions with voters, reflecting a significant groundswell of support for the NDA candidate.

"From early morning, enthusiastic party workers and supporters joined in large numbers, transforming Kongad into a hub of political momentum and optimism. The response from the people has been phenomenal. This is a movement for progress and a better future," Dr. Kilaru Dilip told reporters.

Dr. Renu Suresh personally led the campaign, interacting with families during the door-to-door outreach, listening to their concerns, and assuring voters of development-focused governance, transparency, and inclusive growth, he said.

Expressing strong confidence in the NDA's prospects, Dr. Kilaru Dilip said the overwhelming public response across the constituency was a clear reflection of the people's aspiration for change and meaningful development. "We are confident that Dr. Renu Suresh will secure a resounding victory," he asserted.

The BJP Election In-charge Dr. Kilaru Dilip said the campaign concluded with a unified call for good governance, sustainable development, and a new political direction for Keralam.

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Keralam: Bhubaneswar Member of Parliament Aparajita Sarangi on Monday conducted an extensive campaign in the Kongad assembly constituency in Kerala in support of BJP candidate Dr. Renu Suresh, urging voters to back the party that she said was committed to taking the region forward on the path of development. The campaign drew a strong turnout of party leaders, workers, and local residents.

Enthusiastic Public Response

Speaking on the occasion, BJP Kongad assembly election in-charge Dr. Kilaru Dilip said the campaign event featuring Aparajita Sarangi had evoked a tremendous response from the public. He appealed to voters to elect Dr. Renu Suresh in the interest of Kongad's development, expressing confidence that the constituency was ready to embrace change.

Viksit Kongad the Goal

Dr. Dilip said the NDA was moving forward with a clear agenda of development and transparent governance for Kerala, and that bringing Kongad into the mainstream of progress was central to the alliance's vision for the constituency. He appealed to the people to support the NDA candidate in keeping with the goal of a Viksit Kongad, echoing the broader national vision articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Star Campaigner Energises Ground Workers

The presence of Aparajita Sarangi, a prominent national figure within the BJP, lent fresh energy to the party's campaign in Kongad. Party functionaries said the MP's participation had galvanised workers at the booth level and strengthened the resolve of the alliance's ground organisation ahead of polling day.

Keralam: The Bharatiya Janata Party and National Democratic Alliance brought their election campaign in the Aranmula assembly constituency to a rousing close on Tuesday, with workers and supporters turning out in large numbers from across the constituency to participate in the final day of campaigning. The proceedings unfolded in a festive atmosphere, reflecting what the party described as a groundswell of public enthusiasm.

Kummanam Riding a Wave

BJP Aranmula assembly election in-charge Valluru Jayaprakash Narayan said in a statement that BJP-NDA candidate Kummanam Rajasekharan was receiving exceptional public support across the constituency. He noted that a clear desire for change was palpable among the electorate, and expressed firm confidence that this mood would translate into a decisive majority for the party on polling day.

Viksit Keralam Through Modi's Leadership

Jayaprakash Narayan said the people of Aranmula believed that a developed Kerala and a developed Aranmula — in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat — could only be achieved under BJP governance. He said voters were increasingly convinced that a BJP government would bring industrial growth, expanded employment opportunities, and a check on migration from the region.

Agriculture and Livelihoods at the Core

The BJP in-charge said the party's agenda for Aranmula placed particular emphasis on agricultural development alongside industrial growth, promising a comprehensive improvement in livelihoods for the constituency's residents. He maintained that the response witnessed on the final day of campaigning was itself a clear portent of the party's impending victory.

Final Day Surge Seals the Confidence

Jayaprakash Narayan said the scale of participation and public response on the last day of campaigning left the party in no doubt about the outcome. Kummanam Rajasekharan, he asserted, was set to win Aranmula with a substantial majority, and the NDA's combined strength on the ground would ensure that every vote was secured before polling day.

Tamil Nadu: Leaders and workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party, AIADMK, AMMK, and PMK came together on Tuesday for a major joint meeting in the Tirupattur assembly constituency in support of BJP candidate KC Thirumaran, signalling a united front as the campaign enters its final stretch. Workers drawn from various mandals across the constituency participated in the gathering and deliberated on poll strategy.

Alliance Unity the Cornerstone

Addressing the meeting, BJP Tirupattur assembly election in-charge Kokkera Srinivas Yadav said the solidarity among alliance partners was the most decisive factor in the party's favour. He noted that public support for KC Thirumaran was visibly growing, and expressed firm confidence that the BJP-led alliance would secure a decisive majority in the constituency.

Development and Clean Governance on the Agenda

Srinivas Yadav said the alliance parties were united in their commitment to delivering development and transparent governance to the people. He urged workers at the grassroots level to coordinate their efforts and ensure that every voter in the constituency was reached before polling day.

Ground Push in Final Lap

Leaders at the meeting resolved to intensify the campaign with renewed vigour in the days remaining. Srinivas Yadav reaffirmed that with the combined strength of the alliance, a BJP victory in Tirupattur was well within reach, calling on cadres to redouble their outreach across every village and ward.

Keralam: The Bharatiya Janata Party brought its election campaign in the Azhikode assembly constituency to a spirited close on Tuesday with a grand rally and roadshow, drawing significant attention in Kannur district. The culminating event was a continuation of a series of rallies held since Sunday across Azhikode and Charakkkal mandals, and was described by party functionaries as one of the most visible campaign closures in the district in recent memory.

A Finale That Stood Out

Speaking on the occasion, BJP Azhikode assembly election in-charge Taduvai Ramakrishna said the grand rally, organised as a reflection of Indian culture and tradition, had struck a chord with voters in a manner unprecedented in Kerala. He maintained that no such campaign event had been conducted anywhere else in the State, and expressed confidence that the enthusiastic public response augured well for the party's prospects.

500 Workers, One City Electrified

The rally saw the participation of nearly 500 BJP workers and members of the Mahila Morcha, lending the event considerable energy and visibility. Beginning in the morning, the proceedings continued until 6 p.m., with the city of Azhikode witnessing a charged and festive atmosphere throughout the day.

Candidate and Leadership in Full Stride

BJP Azhikode candidate K.K. Vinod Kumar, presidents of both mandals, and hundreds of party workers took part in the rally. Taduvai Ramakrishna said the overwhelming response from the public on the final day of campaigning was a clear indicator of the party's strong position in the constituency, expressing firm confidence in a BJP victory.

Election in-charge Valluru Jayaprakash Narayan chairs booth-level agents' meeting, exudes confidence in Kummnam Rajasekharan's victory

NATIONAL DESK: The National Democratic Alliance is pressing ahead with a comprehensive electoral strategy to wrest the Aranmula constituency, with BJP election in-charge Valluru Jayaprakash Narayan expressing firm confidence that the party's candidate would emerge victorious in the keenly contested seat.

Mr. Jayaprakash Narayan was addressing a booth-level agents' meeting held in the Aranmula mandal on Monday, where he outlined the party's ground-level campaign strategy and offered direction to workers assembled from across the constituency.

Speaking on the occasion, he said BJP candidate Kummnam Rajasekharan was receiving overwhelming support from the electorate and that the political climate in Aranmula had turned decisively in the NDA's favour. "The lotus will bloom in Aranmula," he said, invoking the party's electoral symbol to underscore his confidence in the outcome.

He noted that the coordinated functioning of NDA alliance partners had emerged as a significant organisational strength, lending additional momentum to the campaign. The party's booth-level management, he said, was being tightened to ensure that every vote was effectively mobilised in favour of the candidate.

Mr. Jayaprakash Narayan called upon workers to undertake sustained door-to-door outreach, urging them to acquaint voters with the Central government's welfare schemes and the party's broader policy agenda. He underlined the pivotal role of booth-level agents in determining electoral outcomes, asserting that disciplined coordination at the micro level would be decisive in delivering victory.

He appealed to every party worker to dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to the candidate's campaign in the days ahead.

The meeting was attended by Advocate Haridasu, Maharashtra MLA Amul, mandal president Deepa Nair, and other senior functionaries.

Keralam, April 3: BJP national leader K. Annamalai, who is on an extensive tour of Kerala ahead of the assembly elections, attended a Kutumba Sangamam — a family outreach programme — organised in the Ahikod assembly constituency of Kannur district on Friday. He was received by constituency election in-charge Taduvai Ramakrishna and BJP candidate K.K. Vinod Kumar. Addressing the gathering, Mr. Annamalai called upon the people to support the BJP in the interest of development and transparent governance, and urged voters to elect K.K. Vinod Kumar as their representative. He used the occasion to highlight the Central government's welfare schemes and the party's vision for the state. Constituency election in-charge Taduvai Ramakrishna said there had been a noticeable surge in public support for the BJP across the Ahikod constituency.

He said the party had been conducting extensive programmes to reach every household, explaining party policies and Central government schemes to voters at the grassroots level. "We have built a strong system from the booth level upward, and with the coordinated efforts of our workers, a BJP victory in Ahikod this time is certain," he said. Mr. Ramakrishna added that the Kutumba Sangamam initiative had proved particularly effective in building public trust, as it allowed party workers to engage directly with families, understand their concerns and work towards addressing local issues. He called upon every worker to sustain the same energy and commitment until polling day to ensure Mr. Vinod Kumar's victory. The programme was attended by local leaders, party workers and a large number of residents from across the constituency.