Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address nation on Saturday. (File Photo)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation at 8.30pm on Saturday. This comes a day after a bill to implement women’s reservation in legislatures was defeated in the Lok Sabha.
Under the Bill, seats in the Lok Sabha were to be increased from 543 to to 816 to “operationalise” the women’s reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. Seats were also to be increased in state and UT assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
A two-thirds majority was required for the passage of the crucial bill but the NDA could not muster the numbers.
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PM in Parliament
During a special sitting of the Parliament, PM Narendra Modi said that no state will be discriminated against in the delimitation of constituencies linked to the reservation of seats for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies. He said “the proportion of seats (in Lok Sabha) will not change”.
He cautioned Opposition parties that women of the country would not forgive them if they were to stall implementation of the proposed law for “inclusion of 50% of the population in policy making” which was “the need of the hour” and could not be delayed any longer.
Proceedings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha were adjourned indefinitely soon after the session began at 11 am on Saturday.
CCS Meeting & BJP protests
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He will also address the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) and a full Cabinet meeting in Parliament.
Earlier on April 1, he chaired a CCS meeting to discuss actions related to the West Asia conflict. The Cabinet Secretary briefed officials on ensuring adequate supply of petroleum products, including LNG and LPG, and maintaining power availability.
Minutes after the Lok Sabha failed to clear the women’s reservation Bill, members of the BJP women wing staged protest outside the Parliament.
Member of UP Women Commission, Ritu Shahi, said, “The 33% Women’s Reservation Bill that was supposed to be passed did not happen. Why? Because the opposition cast 230 votes against it. The same opposition that has always claimed to support women’s reservation and talks about women’s empowerment has been completely exposed.”
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