The bill seeking to amend the Women’s Reservation framework failed to pass a crucial test in the Lok Sabha on Friday, after the Centre fell short of the required numbers.
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 needed a two-thirds majority for passage. However, it secured 298 votes in favour and 230 against, failing to meet the threshold.
Following the setback, two related bills — including one on delimitation and increasing the number of Lok Sabha seats — were not put to vote.
The Centre said these proposals were “intrinsically linked” to the women’s reservation legislation.
The debate in the Lok Sabha, which continued late into Thursday night and resumed on Friday, saw the government strongly advocating for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the government’s push, urging members to support the bill.
He also addressed concerns raised by Opposition parties, assuring that southern states would not face any injustice due to the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah echoed similar assurances, stating that the representation of southern states would be protected or even slightly increased if the total number of seats rises from 543 to around 816.
The government also accused the Opposition, including the Congress, of raising objections to block the bill and deprive women of reservation.
On the other hand, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised the linking of the bill with delimitation.
He alleged that the government was using women’s reservation as a cover to redraw the country’s electoral map in its favour.
Gandhi also claimed that the move could sideline issues like caste-based representation, particularly affecting OBC communities.
The bill’s failure marks a significant setback for the Centre’s efforts to push through reforms related to women’s political representation.