Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified his criticism of the Opposition over the Women’s Reservation Bill on Sunday, particularly targeting the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal.
Addressing an election rally at Bishnupur in Bankura district, Modi accused the TMC of "betraying" women in the state by blocking the bill’s passage in Parliament.
"We have witnessed how the TMC betrayed women in Parliament. They conspired with Congress to prevent the bill's passage because they are against women’s empowerment," Modi said.
The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which proposes 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures by 2029 and aims to increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, failed to pass in Parliament on Friday, with 230 members voting against it. Of the 528 members who voted, the bill needed 352 votes to secure a two-thirds majority.
Modi emphasised that the identity of the Bharatiya Janata Party is tied to women’s empowerment, their safety and security. “This is why women across the country shower the BJP with their blessings,” he added.
The prime minister also asserted that women voters in West Bengal would punish the TMC for opposing the bill.
"You saw what happened in Parliament. The TMC once again betrayed the sisters of Bengal. Women wanted 33 per cent reservation, and Modi ensured it. Bengal wanted it implemented by 2029, but the TMC didn't want women to hold a large number of MLA and MP positions because they challenge their 'Maha Jungle Raj,'" he said.
On Saturday, Modi made a rare address to the nation, apologising to the "mothers and daughters of the nation" for the failure to pass the bill. He criticised the “selfish politics” of Congress and its allies, adding that every citizen of India is watching how the dreams of Indian women have been crushed.
