NEW DELHI: A shocking political development occurred in the recent session of the Lok Sabha when a proposal by the Narendra Modi-led government failed to achieve its mandated majority and resulted in a parliamentary loss for the ruling party. The proposed Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill 2026 did not gain a two-thirds majority on Friday, thus failing to amend the Indian Constitution.
The proposal intended to facilitate the process of delimitation as a precondition for the introduction of the 2023 Women’s Reservation Bill in India. By separating the process of women’s reservations from the general schedule of delimitations linked with the census of the entire country, the bill aimed to expedite the introduction of 33% women quota in the legislature. But the initiative faced an unyielding opposition from the INDIA bloc.
A Rare Legislative Setback
While the government maintained a simple majority, the final tally revealed a significant gap:
- Requirement: Two-thirds of members present and voting.
- The Result: The government failed to reach the threshold as the Opposition stood united, marking the first time a constitutional amendment has been defeated in the Lower House since 2011.
The defeat has plunged the House into a “stormy session,” with the Speaker eventually adjourning the proceedings until Saturday morning.
Political Firestorm
The controversy has led to the beginning of a confrontation between the Treasury and Opposition benches. The Narendra Modi government has accused the opposing groups of being “anti-women.” On the other hand, the opposition parties have branded the bill as a “political maneuver” undertaken to avoid a comprehensive national census and delimitation.
“This is a victory for federalism and constitutional process,” stated a senior leader from the INDIA bloc. “You cannot rush complex demographic shifts for electoral gains.”
As both Houses prepare to resume on Saturday, the defeat signals a shift in the parliamentary landscape, proving that even with a dominant coalition, constitutional changes remain a high hurdle in a deeply polarized House.
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