A Constitution Amendment Bill to implement reservation for women in legislatures in 2029. It increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha was defeated on Friday, April 17, 2026, in the Lower House. While 298 members voted in support of the Bill, 230 MPs opposed it. The Bill failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority.
Lok Sabha fails to pass Women’s Reservation Amendment
Following this, the Union government announced it would not proceed with two related Bills, said that they not considered separately. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju expressed disappointment over the Bill’s defeat. She call it a missed chance for agreement on a significant reform.
On the same day, Home Minister Amit Shah addressed the debate. He said that the imbalance in the ratio of voters to MPs fixed through delimitation. He also accused the Congress of denying people representation when it was in power and claimed it continues to do so.
What Political leaders said?
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, speaking in the Lok Sabha. He argued that the Constitution Amendment Bill has nothing to do with women’s reservation. He said it is an attempt by the government to alter the country’s electoral map by reducing representation from southern, northeastern, and smaller states, which he deemed an anti-national act. Parliament adjourned for the day and will reconvene on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
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