NDA Leaders to Challenge Opposition's Stance on Women's Reservation
Synopsis
In a significant political maneuver, NDA leaders are set to confront the Opposition's resistance to women's empowerment following the failure of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026. This move aims to raise public awareness through various channels.
Key Takeaways
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 fell short of the necessary votes.
NDA leaders plan to address the Opposition's resistance to women's empowerment.
Public awareness campaigns will be launched to communicate these developments.
The 2023 Women’s Reservation Act provides 33% reservation for women.
Implementation of the act is linked to a new delimitation exercise.
New Delhi, April 17 (NationPress) In the wake of the rejection of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 due to the failure to achieve a two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, key leaders of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) convened for a pivotal meeting in Parliament on Friday.
During this session, it was determined that NDA members would highlight the Opposition's opposition to women's empowerment, according to sources.
This message is set to be communicated to citizens nationwide through various channels, including protests, press briefings, and social media campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the situation.
The government had organized a three-day special session of Parliament to propose and deliberate on the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026.
Introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday and discussed over two days, these proposals aimed to expand the size of the House of the People, enable delimitation based on the 2011 Census, and facilitate women's reservation according to this delimitation. The Union Territories (UTs) Laws Bill was intended to implement similar provisions for Puducherry, Delhi, and Jammu and Kashmir.
The Opposition expressed discontent over the connection between delimitation and the enforcement of women’s reservation.
With 528 members present and voting, the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 garnered 298 votes in favor and 230 against on Friday, leaving the government 54 votes short.
In light of the outcome, Parliamentary Minister Kiren Rijiju requested Speaker Om Birla not to proceed with votes on the other two bills, citing their intrinsic interrelation.
In response to the Opposition's sentiments, the 2023 Women’s Reservation Act, which allocates 33 percent reservation for women in both the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, was officially notified by the Union Law Ministry late Thursday.
While this Bill was approved in September 2023, its implementation was contingent upon a new delimitation exercise. The government introduced this new legislation to adjust relevant provisions and facilitate its execution ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
The last Census took place in 2011, and although the next was scheduled for 2021, it was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Point of View
The political landscape faces a potential shift that could impact women's empowerment initiatives across the nation.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the outcome of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill?
The bill did not achieve the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, receiving 298 votes in favor and 230 against.
What is the aim of the proposed women's reservation?
The proposed reservation seeks to allocate 33 percent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies.
Why did the Opposition oppose the bill?
The Opposition opposed the linking of delimitation with the implementation of women's reservation.
When was the last Census conducted in India?
The last Census was conducted in 2011, with the next one scheduled for 2021, but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What legislative changes are being proposed?
The government introduced new legislation to amend provisions related to women's reservation and facilitate its rollout ahead of the 2029 elections.
