PM Modi to Address Nation Amid Political Row Over Women’s Reservation Bill

New Delhi, April 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, with his speech expected to focus on the contentious Women’s Reservation Bill, which recently failed to pass in Parliament, triggering a sharp political divide.

Earlier in the day, leaders from across party lines met Om Birla following the conclusion of the Parliament session to discuss the fallout of the bill’s defeat. The Prime Minister also chaired a crucial बैठक of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in New Delhi, reviewing India’s security and economic preparedness amid the escalating tensions in West Asia.

The high-level meeting came a day after the Constitution Amendment Bill, which sought to introduce 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures and expand the strength of the Lok Sabha, failed to secure the required two-thirds majority. The bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against out of 528 members present and voting, falling short of the 352 votes needed for passage.

The proposed legislation aimed to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from the current 543 to a maximum of 850, in order to implement women’s reservation ahead of the 2029 General Elections. The expansion was to be carried out following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. Similar provisions were proposed for state and Union Territory assemblies to ensure 33 per cent reservation for women.

Following the bill’s defeat, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) termed the development a “black day” and accused opposition parties of denying women their rightful representation. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that the Congress and its allies would have to answer to women across the country, alleging that their stance had damaged public trust.

On the other hand, the Indian National Congress and its allies maintained that they support women’s reservation but objected to its linkage with delimitation. Several opposition leaders, including Shashi Tharoor, argued that the quota law passed in 2023 should be implemented immediately without additional conditions.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also criticised the government, alleging that its intention was to alter the constitutional framework and centralise executive power. He reiterated that while Congress had supported the Women’s Reservation Bill earlier, the current proposal’s linkage with delimitation was unacceptable.

As political tensions escalate, all eyes are now on the Prime Minister’s address, which is expected to outline the government’s position and future course of action on the issue.