New Delhi: In a big blow to its effort to get the Women’s Quota bill fast-tracked, the Central government failed to pass the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the accompanying Delimitation Bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
The Modi government, needing a two-thirds majority, lost 230
to 298, according to India Today. They needed 360 members to vote in favour of the bill.
After two days of intense debate during a special Parliamentary session, voting took place regarding the legislation which is aimed to ensure 33% quota of seats for women in Parliament and state Assemblies, linking it to a delimitation exercise.
The Opposition vehemently protested the bill, saying that the delimitation process, which could increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to around 850, is a contentious move, which should not proceed without an updated Census.
The original Women’s Reservation Act (Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam – 106th Amendment Act, 2023) still exists, but is linked to the 2011 census.