Opposition Unity Defeated Centre’s ‘Conspiracy’, Says Priyanka Gandhi After Women’s Reservation Bill Setback

New Delhi, April 2026 : Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, General Secretary of the Indian National Congress and MP from Wayanad, on Saturday said that the unity of the Opposition had successfully thwarted what she described as the Centre’s “conspiracy” to alter India’s federal structure and weaken democratic institutions.

Speaking at a press conference held at the All India Congress Committee headquarters in New Delhi, a day after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, she termed the development a “victory for democracy” and the Constitution.

The proposed legislation, which aimed to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament while also linking it to delimitation and expansion of Lok Sabha seats, could not secure the constitutionally mandated two-thirds majority. The Bill received 278 votes in favour and 211 against, falling short of the required threshold, triggering a sharp political confrontation between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition INDIA bloc.

Priyanka Gandhi asserted that the outcome demonstrated the strength of a united Opposition. “What happened yesterday was a huge victory for democracy. The government’s conspiracy to alter the federal structure and weaken democracy was defeated and halted. This was a victory for the Constitution, for the country, and for the unity of the Opposition,” she said, adding that the impact of the defeat was visible in the reactions of ruling party leaders.

Referring to speeches delivered in Parliament by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, she alleged that their remarks revealed the government’s political motives. “Both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister repeatedly said that if we did not support the Bill, we would never come to power. This made their intentions clear,” she said.

The Congress leader also questioned the timing of the Special Session of Parliament, noting that it was convened amid ongoing Assembly elections in several states. She alleged that the move was politically motivated and aimed at consolidating power. “It appears to be a conspiracy to ensure that they remain in power permanently, using women as a tool,” she said.

She further argued that the government had attempted to create a political narrative regardless of the Bill’s outcome. “They thought that if the Bill was passed, they would win politically. If it failed, they would portray themselves as champions of women and brand others as anti-women. But becoming a true voice for women is not that easy,” she remarked.

Highlighting issues faced by women across the country, Priyanka Gandhi cited cases such as the Unnao rape case and the Hathras incident, as well as challenges faced by women athletes and the situation in Manipur. She questioned the government’s commitment to women’s welfare, stating that these incidents reflected a lack of consistent support for women’s rights.

“This was not really about the Women’s Reservation Bill; it was about delimitation and power. What people saw clearly was that when the Opposition stands united, the government can be challenged,” she said.

Describing the day of the Bill’s defeat as a “Black Day” for the Centre, she said it marked the first time the government had faced a significant political setback. At the same time, she reiterated that the Congress and other Opposition parties remain committed to women’s reservation, provided it is implemented without conditions.

Priyanka Gandhi urged the government to reintroduce the version of the Women’s Reservation Bill that was passed unanimously in 2023, suggesting that minor amendments could be made if necessary. “Bring back the Bill and implement it immediately. Give women their rights now, without attaching unrelated provisions,” she said.

She also pointed to rising inflation and economic pressures, noting that the burden of increasing prices of essential commodities such as cooking gas, fruits, and vegetables disproportionately affects women. According to her, these everyday challenges highlight the need for genuine policy measures rather than political posturing.

Commenting on the ruling party’s outreach efforts, she dismissed them as performative. “They can organise protests and create spectacle, but the country has understood their intentions. Women are aware and cannot be misled anymore,” she said.

Priyanka Gandhi further claimed that the structure of the Bill itself indicated that the government anticipated its failure. “By linking it with delimitation and outdated census data, it was clear that they were more interested in political credit than actual implementation,” she alleged.

The remarks come amid escalating tensions between the NDA and the INDIA bloc over the future of women’s reservation and electoral reforms. With both sides preparing to take the issue to the public, the debate is expected to remain a central theme in the evolving political landscape.