Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the Congress and other opposition parties will have to pay a price for not supporting the bill aimed at early implementation of women’s reservation, and asked Union ministers to expose the Opposition’s “anti-women” mindset before the public, news agency PTI reported quoting sources.At a Union Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to implement women’s reservation by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.According to sources, PM Modi said the opposition had made a “big mistake” by not voting in favour of the Bill and would face consequences for opposing it.He is also learnt to have asked his Cabinet colleagues to take this message to the grassroots and every village, and highlight the Opposition’s “anti-women” mindset among people.PTI sources added that PM Modi directed ministers to share messages criticising the opposition’s stand on their social media platforms.The Constitution amendment Bill to implement the women’s reservation law failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha on Friday.The Prime Minister is also learnt to have said that after taking such a stand in the Lok Sabha, opposition parties are now trying to justify their position and cover up their actions.Several ministers also spoke during the Cabinet meeting, expressing their views on the opposition’s stance, sources added.This comes after the women’s reservation bill and delimitation bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha amid opposition backlash over the government’s approach.The Constitution Amendment Bill aimed to reserve 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, it failed to secure a two-thirds majority to pass the Lok Sabha.The Bill received only 298 votes in its favour, while 230 MPs opposed it, after a heated debate that began on Thursday and went past midnight into Friday.Earlier in the day, Congress leader Priyanka Gandgi Vadra hailed the defeat of the Delimitation Bill in the Parliament as a “victory of democracy” and accused the Centre of hatching a conspiracy to alter the federal structure of the country.While addressing a press conference, Priyanka said that Centre is planning to stay in power using Women.“What happened yesterday was a huge victory for democracy. The government’s conspiracy to alter the federal structure and weaken democracy was defeated and stopped. This was a victory for the Constitution, a victory for the country, and a victory for the unity of the opposition, and it was clearly visible on the faces of the ruling party leaders,” the Congress leader said.The BJP has accused opposition parties of blocking a historic reform aimed at ensuring 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. Union home minister Amit Shah alleged that parties like Congress, TMC, and others prevented the passage of the bill and warned of political consequences.
