Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 18: Telangana chief minister Revanth Reddy launched a strong attack on the Union government while welcoming the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, alleging that it concealed a political agenda rather than genuinely seeking women’s empowerment.
Addressing a press conference, Reddy praised the Opposition for blocking the bill and accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of attempting to use women’s reservation as a pretext to expand the size of the Lok Sabha and eventually secure a two-thirds constitutional majority.
He argued that the government’s proposed restructuring under the accompanying Delimitation Bill, 2026 could shift political balance in favour of larger states where the BJP has stronger influence, potentially enabling future constitutional changes, including on reservation provisions.
The Bill, which sought to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament, failed to secure the required two-thirds majority, receiving 298 votes in favour and 230 against after an extended debate. Its defeat has intensified political tensions between the ruling NDA and the Opposition INDIA bloc.
Reddy alleged that the Centre’s broader intention was to increase parliamentary seats to around 850, which, he claimed, could help the ruling party achieve a constitutional majority in the future. He said the Opposition and citizens had together prevented what he described as an attempt to weaken constitutional safeguards.
Referring to the 2024 general elections, he claimed that voters had reduced the ruling party’s mandate, preventing it from reaching a dominant majority. He further accused the government of attempting to push legislation without adequate parliamentary discussion over the past several years.
The Chief Minister also urged the Centre not to create regional divisions between northern and southern states through delimitation exercises, stressing that all regions are equal stakeholders in the country’s democratic framework.
Reddy reiterated that the Opposition would support genuine efforts to implement women’s reservation immediately within the existing parliamentary structure, without linking it to future delimitation or census processes.
He also took a sharp rhetorical swipe at the Prime Minister, accusing the government of attempting to “undermine constitutional values,” while asserting that the Opposition would continue to resist any such moves.
The remarks add to escalating political friction following the bill’s defeat, with both the NDA and Opposition INDIA bloc trading sharp accusations over intent, strategy, and constitutional reform.