Desk Correspondent , New Delhi - A stunning political setback, Lok Sabha rejects the idea of 131 Amendment Act, 2026, aimed at implementing 33% women's reservation in the Parliament and state assemblies, along with related delimitation changes. The bill secured 298 votes in favor and 230 against out of 528 members present, falling short of the required two-thirds majority, approximately 352 votes during a special parliament session on Friday, April 17. Speaker Om Birla announced the failure after a division of votes marking a rare unified opposition victory.

The opposition led by Congress and including key INDIA bloc parties, blocked the measure despite appeals from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, who accused them of an "anti-women mindset" and warned of election backlash from women voters. Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi rejected conditions linking the quota to delimitation, a census, or a 2034 rollout, insist in immediate implementation without seat hikes that could dilute representation. The government withdrew two linked bills on delimitation and Union Territories, stalling the entire women's quota framework passed in 2023.

The defeat highlights deepening political divides ahead of potential 2026 elections, with the NDA labeling it sabotage of "Nari Shakti" reforms and the opposition hailing it as resistance to flawed tweaks. As women's groups watch closely, the government faces pressure to revive the quota without controversial propositions, though no immediate next steps were outlined.