Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday addressed a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi, a day after the Women’s Reservation Bill failed to secure passage in the Lok Sabha. She described the outcome as a “major victory for democracy,” crediting the Opposition’s unity for what she termed a significant setback to the ruling party’s alleged attempt to consolidate political power.
Priyanka Gandhi alleged that the government’s intent behind the bill was not limited to women’s empowerment, but also aimed at bringing structural changes in parliamentary representation for political advantage. She claimed that the proposed legislation was part of a broader strategy to alter institutional balance and questioned the necessity of expanding and restructuring Lok Sabha seats in the manner proposed.
Criticising the ruling dispensation, she said the Opposition’s coordinated stand had exposed the government’s position. Citing incidents such as Unnao, Hathras, and Manipur, she argued that the government’s claims on women’s safety and empowerment were contradicted by its record in practice. She further said the Opposition’s unity demonstrated the strength of democratic checks and balances.
Priyanka Gandhi reiterated that if the government was genuinely committed to women’s welfare, it should reintroduce the 2023 version of the Women’s Reservation Bill, which proposed 33% reservation for women within the existing parliamentary structure. She said the Opposition supported women’s reservation but opposed any model that alters the composition of constituencies through delimitation-based expansion.
The 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, which proposed increasing Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850 based on delimitation using the 2011 Census, failed to pass in the Lower House. The bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the required majority. Priyanka Gandhi alleged that the special session of Parliament was convened with the intent of ensuring prolonged political dominance, terming it part of a larger political strategy.