Opposition Unity Defeats Delimitation Ploy in Women's Reservation Bill

The Modi government faced a significant setback as a proposal to implement 33% women's reservation in legislatures by 2029 was defeated. The bill, which required a two-thirds majority, saw 230 MPs voting against it, revealing the opposition's unified stance against what they termed a 'nefarious ploy' for delimitation masked as empowerment.

CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby accused the government of attempting to alter political representation balance by linking the women's reservation bill with constituency delimitation. In a social media statement, Baby asserted that the opposition's unity exposed the BJP's 'ulterior motives' and 'Chanakya strategy.'

The proposal included increasing Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. Despite 298 members supporting the amendment, it failed to reach the required 352 votes to pass. The government, however, maintains its commitment to fighting for women's rights in legislative representation.

(With inputs from agencies.)