Modi Government's 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill Fails in Lok Sabha

New Delhi. The 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, presented by the Narendra Modi government in the Lok Sabha, failed on Friday after failing to secure a two-thirds majority.

The bill, which aimed to ensure 33 percent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, restructure constituencies (delimitation), and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850, received 298 votes in favor and 230 against. It was dropped from the process after failing to reach the required 352 votes.

Following the bill's failure, Home Minister Amit Shah sharply criticized opposition parties, claiming they are against women's rights and reservation.

He accused Congress and its allies of depriving women of their power, calling it a condemnable move. On the other hand, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi termed it an attack on the Constitution and a conspiracy to manipulate the electoral system in favor of the ruling party.

Gandhi also challenged the government to introduce an older and impartial bill if it is truly serious about women's reservation. According to political experts, the government's decision to introduce the bill despite lacking a majority may have been a strategic move to portray the opposition as anti-women in upcoming elections.

Meanwhile, South Indian states have expressed serious concern and opposition, arguing that increasing seat numbers based on population would strengthen North India's political dominance and weaken their own representation.

Specifically, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has warned that this would impact the federal structure and the political power of the South.