Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the Congress an "anti-reform party" after the Lok Sabha defeated a women's reservation bill on April 18, 2026 [1, 2].
The failure of the legislation stalls a significant effort to mandate gender quotas in India's legislatures, intensifying the political divide between the ruling BJP and opposition blocs.
In a televised address to the nation from New Delhi that aired at 8:30 p.m. [2], Modi targeted the Congress and other opposition parties for their roles in the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill [1, 2]. The bill sought to introduce a reservation quota for women in legislative bodies [1, 3].
Modi said, "Congress is an anti-reform party" [1]. He said the Congress, DMK, TMC, and SP were the culprits for defeating the legislation [3].
The Prime Minister framed the opposition's vote as a barrier to gender empowerment. He said that dynastic parties fear the rise of empowered women in the political sphere [3]. Despite the legislative setback, Modi said, "We will get more chances to push for women's quota" [2].
The defeat of the 131st Amendment marks a critical impasse in the current session of the Lok Sabha. The bill's failure prevents the immediate implementation of reserved seats for women, a goal the government has positioned as a central pillar of its social reform agenda [1, 2].
“"Congress is an anti-reform party."”
The defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill underscores the deep legislative deadlock in India's parliament. By labeling the opposition as 'anti-reform,' the Prime Minister is leveraging a high-profile social issue to frame the political contest as one of progress versus stagnation ahead of future electoral cycles.
