PM Modi Says Congress ‘True Face’ Exposed In Women’s Reservation Bill Row

Calling the debate over the Women's Reservation Bill a moment that exposed the opposition's real intentions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the Congress and its allies of trying to mislead the nation during the parliamentary showdown over the proposed law.

Escalating his attack during the address to the nation, Modi said the conduct of the opposition had laid bare its "true face" before the country. He alleged that the stand taken by Congress and its partners during the debate was part of a broader pattern of pushing misleading narratives, and suggested their actions had once again revealed what he described as their political duplicity on major national issues.

The Prime Minister also alleged that the Congress had engaged in a "conspiracy" that could damage the future of regional parties, sharpening the political edge of his remarks amid the row over the bill's defeat. His comments indicate that the BJP is likely to frame the failed legislation not only as a setback to women's representation but also as evidence of deeper contradictions within the opposition bloc.

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which sought to operationalise 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, was defeated in the Lok Sabha on Friday night after the ruling alliance fell short of the required two-thirds majority. The bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, while 352 votes were needed out of the 528 members who participated in the voting.