The Constitution Amendment Bill seeking 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, April 18, 2026 — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sharply criticized opposition parties for refusing to back the Women’s Reservation Bill, telling his cabinet that the opposition had committed a grave political mistake and would have to face the consequences.
According to sources present at the cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister said opposition parties would have to answer to the women of the country after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha.
“Opposition has made a mistake and will pay the consequences. They must answer the women of this country,” sources quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
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The proposed legislation, which sought to reserve 33 percent of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women, fell short despite an intense and prolonged debate in Parliament. The Bill received 298 votes in support but 230 members opposed it, preventing it from crossing the constitutional threshold required for passage.
Sources said Modi told ministers the opposition had “let down the women of the country” and stressed that this message should reach “every village and every citizen.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks came a day after opposition parties, while reiterating support in principle for women’s reservation, accused the government of pushing the legislation with political motives. Several opposition leaders also voiced concern that future delimitation linked to the measure could reduce representation for southern states.
During the special parliamentary session, Modi sought to address those fears, offering what he described as a personal assurance that no injustice would be done to southern states if Lok Sabha seats increase from 543 to 816.
“Do not view this through a political lens. This is in the national interest,” the Prime Minister had urged lawmakers during the debate.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also defended the Bill and accused the opposition of manufacturing objections to block a historic reform.
Leading the opposition charge, Rahul Gandhi alleged the government was using the women’s quota issue as a cover to redraw the electoral map to its advantage.
The Bill’s failure has now set the stage for a wider political battle, with the government signaling it may take the issue directly to the public, particularly women voters, in the coming months.
