NEW DELHI: The Lok Sabha on Friday rejected the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at implementing women's reservation from the 2029 general elections, after it failed to secure the required two-thirds majority.
During voting, 298 members supported the bill while 230 opposed it. Announcing the result, Speaker Om Birla said the legislation could not be passed as it did not meet the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
Under Article 368 of the Constitution of India, constitutional amendment bills require not only a majority of the total membership of the House but also the support of at least two-thirds of members present and voting.
Following the outcome, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the government would not proceed with the Union Territories Laws Amendment Bill 2026 and the Delimitation Bill 2026.
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, replying to a marathon debate involving nearly 130 members, criticised opposition parties for opposing the bill and said they would face the backlash of women voters in future elections.
Opposition parties, while reiterating their support for women's reservation, strongly objected to linking it with delimitation and demanded immediate implementation within the current strength of the House.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticised the Delimitation Bill, alleging that it was an attempt to alter the country's electoral map rather than empower women.
The bill's failure marks a significant political development, leaving the future of women's reservation legislation uncertain ahead of the 2029 general elections.