“Attack on Constitution Defeated,” Says Rahul Gandhi After Women’s Quota Bill Fails in Lok Sabha
Opposition claims victory as amendment Bill falls short of majority, criticises link to delimitation
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Friday described the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill on women’s reservation as a victory for the Constitution and democracy.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament after the Bill failed to secure the required majority in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi said the proposal was not genuinely aimed at empowering women but was an attempt to alter India’s electoral structure.
He stated that the opposition had united to stop what he called an “attack on the Constitution.” Gandhi added that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi is serious about implementing women’s reservation, the government should bring the 2023 law into effect immediately, assuring full support from opposition parties.
In a post on X, Gandhi reiterated his stance, saying the amendment Bill was an unconstitutional move presented in the name of women, and that it had been successfully blocked.
Echoing similar views, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the government for linking the Bill to delimitation and an outdated census. She argued that such conditions made the proposal unacceptable to the opposition.
Priyanka Gandhi further said the outcome marked a significant moment for democracy, adding that the approach taken by the government made it difficult for the Bill to pass. She also responded to criticism from ruling party leaders by questioning their track record on women’s issues.
The Constitution Amendment Bill, which aimed to introduce 33 percent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies by 2029, was defeated after failing to achieve the required two thirds majority. Out of 528 members who voted, 298 supported the Bill while 230 opposed it, falling short of the 352 votes needed.
The proposal also included plans to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to a maximum of 850 seats through a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census, to facilitate the implementation of reservation.
With the Bill’s defeat, the debate over women’s representation and electoral reforms is expected to continue in the political arena.