Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Apr 19: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of turning an official address to the nation into a “political speech” filled with “mudslinging” and “outright lies,” following the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the Lok Sabha.
The proposed legislation, which aimed to expand the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 seats to facilitate 33 per cent reservation for women by the 2029 elections, failed to secure the required two-thirds majority. While 298 MPs supported the bill, 230 Opposition members voted against it.
In a post on X, Kharge alleged that the Prime Minister misused an official platform to target political opponents, despite the Model Code of Conduct being in force ahead of Assembly elections in two states. He termed the move a “travesty of democracy and the Constitution.”
Responding to the Prime Minister’s remarks criticising the Opposition for blocking what he called a major reform for women’s representation, Kharge claimed the speech focused more on attacking Congress than addressing women’s issues. He stated that the Prime Minister mentioned Congress multiple times while giving limited attention to the issue of women’s empowerment.
Kharge reiterated that the Congress had historically supported women’s reservation, citing the passage of a similar bill in the Rajya Sabha in 2010 and backing the 2023 legislation. He questioned the delay in its implementation and accused the government of lacking commitment to women’s empowerment.
He also demanded that the government implement 33 per cent reservation for women within the existing Lok Sabha seats, instead of linking it to delimitation. Calling for clarity, he urged the Prime Minister to separate the issues and ensure immediate representation for women.
Further intensifying his criticism, Kharge accused the BJP of being “anti-women,” citing past incidents and alleging that the party had failed to adequately address crimes against women.
The Prime Minister, in his address, had expressed disappointment over the bill’s defeat and accused sections of the Opposition of undermining women’s representation.
The political exchange highlights the growing tensions between the ruling party and the Opposition over the implementation of women’s reservation and electoral reforms.