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.

AMARAVATI, April 18: The defeat of the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha amounted to a stain on Indian democracy, Andhra Pradesh BJP chief spokesman Valluru Jayaprakash Narayan said on Friday, accusing the Congress-led INDIA bloc of committing a grave injustice against the women of this country by blocking legislation that would have expedited the implementation of women's reservations in legislative bodies.

In a strongly worded statement, Mr. Narayan described April 17 as a day of humiliation for every mother, sister, and daughter in India. He alleged that while Congress spoke at length about women's empowerment, its actions in Parliament told an entirely different story.

"Congress has spewed poison on the question of women's reservations. Snatching away women's rights is a political sin. It is shameful that Congress is celebrating having defeated the women of this nation," he said.

Dynasty politics at the root of opposition, alleges BJP

Mr. Narayan alleged that the Congress party had consistently pursued anti-women policies, and that all parties that had obstructed the Women's Reservation Bill were those accustomed to dynastic rule. He contended that these parties could not tolerate the prospect of ordinary women securing a place in legislative assemblies.

Holding Congress president Rahul Gandhi and leaders of the INDIA bloc directly responsible, he accused them of having betrayed women by promising reservations while in power and failing to deliver. "They are traitors to the women of this country," he said.

The BJP spokesman observed that despite being rejected by the electorate on multiple occasions, the Congress had shown no signs of course correction. He predicted that the women of India would deliver a fitting political response to the Congress alliance in the days ahead.

Calling for electoral accountability, Mr. Narayan urged voters in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu to defeat the Congress, DMK, and TMC alliances in the upcoming elections as an assertion of women's self-respect and dignity.

"Women's power will make itself heard," he said.

Amaravati, April 17: State Minister Satya Kumar Yadav on Friday strongly condemned the remarks made by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in Parliament during the debate on the Nari Shakti Vandan Bill, demanding that Gandhi immediately retract his statements and offer an unconditional apology to the people of the country.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP State office in Vijayawada, the Minister said it was deeply irresponsible of Gandhi to mock Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a time when Parliament was engaged in a crucial debate on women's empowerment. He described Gandhi's references to the Prime Minister as a "jadugar" and a "magician" as unworthy of a Leader of Opposition, and said his remarks undermining the country's military strength were wholly unacceptable.

Satya Kumar Yadav said Prime Minister Modi's leadership had been clearly visible in enhancing India's stature on the international stage and in driving national development. He asserted that the Central government's decisions on national security and military strength had made India significantly more powerful, pointing in particular to the firm stance adopted against Pakistan in bolstering the country's defence.

The Minister said Congress party's opposition to the Nari Shakti Vandan Bill had laid bare the party's true attitude towards women's empowerment. He added that the Central government's transparent and corruption-free governance continued to enjoy strong public support.

On the delimitation issue, Satya Kumar Yadav said the increase in parliamentary seats following the census was intended to ensure justice for southern States, with the possibility of up to a 50 per cent increase in seats for the south. He criticised the Congress for having fostered a sense of division between northern and southern States during its tenure in power.

The Minister said the BJP would welcome support from any party for decisions aimed at women's development and national progress.

Guntur, April 17: BJP State media panellist Taduvai Ramakrishna on Friday launched a sharp attack on Leader of Opposition in Parliament Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of conduct unbecoming of a parliamentarian and of making remarks that brought shame to civilised society.

Referring to the debate in Parliament on Friday, Ramakrishna alleged that Gandhi's comments were deeply offensive to the 140 crore people of the country. He said that Gandhi had not only made inappropriate remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi but had also criticised the Indian Army, which he described as painful and unacceptable. He demanded that Gandhi apologise to the nation immediately for his statements.

Ramakrishna also trained his guns on the Congress party, alleging that its positions have consistently worked against national interests. He said the party had exposed its true character by opposing the Women's Reservation Bill and attempting to obstruct the delimitation process. He reaffirmed that the BJP-led NDA government remained firmly committed to the empowerment of women.

Turning to the Congress leadership, he alleged that the party's policies had become an impediment to the country's progress. Citing a series of political developments over the years, he said the decline of the Congress party was only accelerating under Rahul Gandhi's leadership.

Ramakrishna said the people of the country were welcoming the Central government's decisions aimed at national development, particularly the advancement of Other Backward Classes and the political empowerment of women. He described the introduction of the Women's Reservation Bill as a historic moment and asserted that the credit for this landmark legislation belonged entirely to the BJP and the NDA government.

Andhra Pradesh BJP spokesperson Sheikh Baji demands Congress clarify its stand, accuses party leadership of double standards on women's empowerment

AMARAVATI, April 15: As the Women's Reservation Bill came up for discussion in Parliament on Wednesday, Andhra Pradesh BJP State spokesperson Sheikh Baji launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, accusing it of indulging in what he termed "duplicitous politics" on the question of women's representation in legislative bodies.

Addressing mediapersons here, Mr. Baji demanded that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi spell out their party's unambiguous position on the Bill, asserting that a party which claims to champion women's rights cannot afford to remain equivocal on a matter of such constitutional significance.

The BJP spokesperson credited the Central government, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with demonstrating a sustained commitment to women's empowerment through concrete policy measures. He pointed to the elevation of Droupadi Murmu to the office of President — the highest constitutional post in the country — and the continuing tenure of Nirmala Sitharaman as Finance Minister as evidence of the ruling dispensation's confidence in women's leadership and capability.

Mr. Baji also cited the allocation of 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions as a structural reform that had laid the groundwork for inclusive rural governance. Greater participation of women at the grassroots level, he argued, had demonstrable effects on rural education, economic activity, and skill development — ultimately stemming migration and accelerating regional growth.

Invoking the government's guiding principle of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas," he underscored that no vision of national development could be complete without ensuring meaningful representation for women across all tiers of governance.

The spokesperson also drew attention to the expanding role of women in the armed forces, commending the service of women officers and invoking historical figures such as Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Rani Rudramadevi of the Kakatiya dynasty as enduring symbols of feminine resolve and leadership that continue to inspire generations.

Mr. Baji concluded by calling upon all political parties and civil society to extend wholehearted support to the Women's Reservation Bill, describing it as an instrument indispensable to the country's broader democratic and developmental aspirations.

New Delhi: Congress leader and Wayanad MP, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, delivered her maiden speech in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The speech came as part of a special discussion marking the 75th anniversary of the enactment of the Indian Constitution. Priyanka addressed the House during this significant occasion.

In the recently concluded by-election for the Wayanad constituency, Priyanka won with a massive majority of four lakh votes. Her brother, Rahul Gandhi, had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from both Wayanad and Rae Bareli, securing victories in both constituencies. However, as per parliamentary rules, he had to vacate one seat, leading to his resignation from the Wayanad seat. Consequently, a by-election was held for the Wayanad constituency, in which Priyanka emerged victorious with a substantial majority.

Since entering Parliament, Priyanka has actively participated in opposition protests outside Parliament, particularly focusing on the Adani controversy, a matter that has been a point of contention among opposition parties. Her engagement in these protests highlights her proactive stance on pressing national issues.