Womens reservation Bill debate sparks NDA-opposition clash in Uttar Pradesh Assembly session

The Uttar Pradesh Assembly saw a sharp NDA-opposition exchange during a one-day session on womens empowerment, after the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill failed in the Lok Sabha. The Bill proposed raising Lok Sabha seats to up to 816 and expanding state and UT assemblies to implement 33 per cent womens reservation ahead of 2029, following delimitation based on the 2011 Census.

A one-day special session on women’s empowerment in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Thursday turned into a heated face-off. The BJP-led NDA and opposition parties traded charges over who blocked women’s political representation. The clash followed the defeat of a Bill linked to the women’s quota law in the Lok Sabha on April 17.

Both sides said they backed women’s reservation, but argued over timing and intent. The NDA blamed the Samajwadi Party, Congress and other INDIA bloc parties for voting down the proposal. The opposition said it supported reservation, yet doubted the government’s commitment to implement it soon.

Women’s reservation Bill and Lok Sabha vote

The Constitution 131st Amendment Bill failed in the Lok Sabha after opposition parties voted against it. The Bill aimed to make the women’s reservation law workable before the 2029 general election. It proposed raising Lok Sabha seats from 543 to up to 816 after delimitation using the 2011 Census.

The plan also included increasing seats in state and Union Territory assemblies. This expansion was meant to fit 33 per cent reservation for women. Opposition members argued the reservation could start without waiting for a new delimitation exercise. Several speakers said the delay weakened the purpose of the 2023 women’s quota legislation.

Women’s reservation row spills into Uttar Pradesh Assembly

Even before the House met, members from ruling and opposition sides protested. Slogans were raised from the streets to the Assembly building. The atmosphere remained tense as the discussion began. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath moved a proposal on women’s empowerment and criticised the SP and Congress.

Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey questioned the BJP’s earlier positions on women’s quotas. Pandey said, "When the issue of 33 per cent reservation for women in the Panchayati Raj Institutions came up, you opposed it. When the Mandal Commission recommendations were implemented, you brought down the government.\"

Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra Mona pressed for immediate action within the current structure. Mona said, \"If the government has even a shred of morality left, it should implement womens reservation in the current structure itself.\" Mona cited Motilal Nehru’s 1928 view on equal rights and the Congress Karachi session of 1931.

Mona also referred to steps after Independence that widened women’s rights. Mona mentioned lowering the voting age to 18 under Rajiv Gandhi. The Congress leader also questioned the BJP’s internal record on leadership. Mona asked whether the BJP ever made a woman its president, claiming Congress did so multiple times.

Women’s reservation debate: SP questions intent and delimitation

Samajwadi Party MLA Ragini Sonkar called the special session a political conspiracy. SP members Pinki Yadav, Naseem Solanki, Kamal Akhtar and Toofani Saroj asked why the 2023 women’s quota law was still not in force. They said reservation could rely on the 2011 Census without waiting for delimitation.

SP member Farid Mahfooz Kidwai linked the issue to future seat changes. Kidwai said, \"You implement reservation today, and we will support you. But your intention is not to implement reservation, but delimitation, which we will oppose at any cost.\" SP’s Pallavi Patel also accused the BJP of staging a drama on reservation.

Women’s reservation and BJP-led NDA response in the House

Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak spoke about women’s role in India’s past and public life. Pathak mentioned Rani Lakshmibai, Ahilyabai Holkar and Kalpana Chawla. Pathak said, \"Women are the foundation of democracy.\" Pathak also referred to schemes under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

BJP MLA Manju Sivach urged quick action on good ideas. Sivach accused the opposition of having an improper attitude towards women. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna said women’s empowerment stayed a priority since 2017. Khanna cited schemes like Kanya Sumangala and mass marriage programmes.

Khanna also gave figures on crime cases and legal action. Khanna said more than 29,900 cases were registered from 2017 to 2026. Khanna said action was taken against over 39,000 people. Khanna cited fast convictions under the POCSO Act as part of the effort.

NDA allies added their views during the session. Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad said women’s reservation was a right, not charity. Minister Ashish Patel spoke about equality for men and women across religions. Minister Vijaylakshmi Gautam said improved security let women work confidently even late at night.

Minister Baby Rani Maurya said women deliver results when given responsibility. Maurya referred to women’s roles from panchayats to Parliament. Minister Rajni Tiwari said women can shape the nation’s direction. The debate ended with both camps repeating support for reservation, while blaming each other for delays.

With inputs from PTI