PM Modi Speech Highlights: ‘Distress, not national address’, Congress reacts to PM’s speech

PM Modi Speech | PM Narendra Modi Address Nation Highlights: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should have apologized for is his shameless, deceitful attempts to push through a devious delimitation proposal in the name of women.

PM Modi Speech Today Highlights: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched an all-out attack against Opposition parties during his televised address, claiming that Congress, DMK, TMC and Samajwadi Party “committed bhroon hatya (foeticide)” by defeating women’s quota bill.

He also sought forgiveness from the women and sisters after the women’s reservation amendment Bill failed to pass Lok Sabha as the government couldn’t muster enough votes in its favour.

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Modi said: “What happened in Parliament was not just desk thumping, but an attack on the dignity and self respect of women. A woman may forget many things, but she never forgets her insult. The conduct of the Congress and its allies in Parliament will remain in the minds of women across the country.

What was the Bill: The legislation aimed to expand the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 seats to 816 in order to operationalise 33 per cent reservation for women ahead of the 2029 general elections. The proposal was linked to a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census and also included provisions to increase seats in state and Union Territory assemblies.

The Bill required a two-thirds majority to pass but fell short during voting in the Lok Sabha on Friday. A total of 528 members participated in the vote, with 298 supporting the bill and 230 opposing it. The required threshold for passage stood at 352 votes.

WATCH | How Opposition planned to vote against Centre here

Live Updates
Apr 18, 2026 10:23 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'Desperate and frustrated'

A desperate and frustrated PM @narendramodi with nothing meaningful to show for the last 12 years, turned an official address to the nation, into a political speech, full of mudslinging, and outright LIES. — Mallikarjun Kharge

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Apr 18, 2026 10:22 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Congress reacts to PM Modis' address

This pathetic partisan and polemical attack – a Distress Address rather than a National Address - would have been more appropriate in a Press Conference. — Congress reaction to PM Modi's address

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Apr 18, 2026 10:12 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'Distress address rather than national address', says Congress

A "distress address" rather than national address: Congress hits out at PM Modi. — PTI

Apr 18, 2026 10:09 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Congress challenges Modi to implement women's quota within existing set up

Congress challenges PM to move bill in Parliament tomorrow to implement women's quota within existing set up of LS: Jairam Ramesh. — PTI

Apr 18, 2026 09:52 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'Prime Minister has given priority to women in every sector'

On PM Modi’s address to the Nation, UP BJP President, Pankaj Chaudhary says, "... Prime Minister has given priority to women in every sector—development, employment, and beyond. By amending the Women’s Reservation Bill, he sought to deliver rights that had been blocked for four decades. But the opposition played with women’s future, casting it into darkness. Our mothers and sisters will never forgive them. The Prime Minister has made it clear: we will not step back. Efforts will continue until the Women’s Reservation Bill is amended and implemented. As he said, the stance of parties like the Samajwadi Party towards women is well known. And when opposition to women’s rights happens at such a crucial time, the answer will come in elections—whether in Bengal or across the nation. If the bill had passed, it could have been implemented by 2029. " — ANI

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Apr 18, 2026 09:46 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'Powerful message to the women of the nation'

On PM Modi’s address to the nation, UP Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak says, "... Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a powerful message to the women of the nation. Everyone knows how Congress and the Samajwadi Party together tried to snatch women of their rights. Women will never forgive them. Across the country, women stand firmly with Modi ji. Congress and SP will pay the price..." — ANI

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Apr 18, 2026 09:37 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: BJP blatantly cheating women, says DMK spokesperson

On PM Modi’s address to the nation, DMK Spokesperson TKS Elangovan says, "They (BJP) are blatantly cheating the people. This Bill (women’s reservation) was introduced twice and they did not support it, which is why it was pending in the Parliament for quite sometime, it was because of BJP. They are not interested in women empowerment, but in reducing the number of seats of the Southern states... Out of the 850 seats, they mentioned that Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Keralam, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Puducherry will get 170 seats, which means the remaining North Indian states will get 680 seats. This is how they planned. We only opposed delimitation, never talked a single word about women’s reservation...” — DMK Spokesperson TKS Elangovan

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Apr 18, 2026 09:34 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Maithili Thakur reacts to PM Modi's address

Today, while traveling on the roads during election campaigning in Bengal, I heard Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji's message addressed to the women. My heart ached to see that an important proposal related to women's empowerment could not pass in Parliament this time. The voice will continue to rise, because respect and security are the right of every woman. — Maithili Thakur

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Apr 18, 2026 09:32 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'Women need not wait years to see the benefits of reservation'

On PM Modi’s address to the Nation, BJP Candidate from Coimbatore North Assembly Constituency, Vanathi Srinivasan says, "... Women need not wait years to see the benefits of reservation. Under Modi ji’s leadership, the central government brought a special bill alongside delimitation, with a clear guarantee that no state’s interests—especially those of the southern states—would be ignored... Yet Congress and DMK, with their dynastic politics, blocked this bill. Their intention was clear: to prevent ordinary women from humble backgrounds from entering Parliament and Assemblies. They killed the bill, and for that, the women of this country will give them a fitting reply... The Prime Minister also reminded us how schemes meant for the poor have been obstructed by the state government. Only a double-engine government has the clarity and vision to deliver these benefits... His message today is simple: throw out corrupt, family-run politics, and bring in the NDA for the development of Tamil Nadu." — ANI

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Apr 18, 2026 09:30 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'When we have numbers, women will have 33% reservation in Parliament and Assemblies'

On PM Modi's address to the nation, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari says, "... I believe the mothers, sisters, and daughters who give us life can build a better society than we ever could. Yet the opposition refuses to accept this truth and keeps making excuses. We say this with conviction: where women are honoured, the gods themselves reside. So to my sisters here, and with the media present, let me be clear. Modi ji himself once said—it doesn’t matter how many MPs we have today. We have faith that soon the numbers will be with us, and when they are, women will have 33 per cent representation in Parliament and in the Assemblies." — ANI

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Apr 18, 2026 09:27 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'Your anger is justified'

Your anger is justified, and in a democracy, the only way to show it is through your vote against those who opposed you. — BJP leader SP Singh Baghel

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Apr 18, 2026 09:24 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'Completely against reducing the political power of Odisha through delimitation'

We are completely against reducing the political power of Odisha through delimitation. — Naveen Patnaik

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Apr 18, 2026 09:15 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: PM Modi's full address to nation here

Prime Mnister Narendra Modi's full address to the nation here

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Apr 18, 2026 09:01 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to nation ends.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to nation ends.

Apr 18, 2026 09:00 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to nation ends

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to nation ends

Apr 18, 2026 08:59 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'It's just a matter of time'

It's just a matter of time. BJP and NDA's resolve to ensure women's reservation is strong — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:59 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: We will remove all obstacles that come in the way of women's reservation, says Modi

We will remove all obstacles that come in the way of women's reservation, I promise — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:58 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'The nation's mothers, daughters.. I know you are sad.. I am sad as well'

The nation's mothers, daughters.. I know you are sad.. I am sad as well. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:57 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'For years I have been trying to give women equal rights'

For years I have been trying to give women equal rights — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:56 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: The country's women will give befitting reply to Congress, says Modi

The country's women will give befitting reply to Congress. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:56 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: The fight is against Congress's anti-reform attitude which is filled with negativity, says Modi

The fight is against Congress's anti-reform attitude which is filled with negativity — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:55 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Congress kept border disputes hanging, says Modi

Congress kept border disputes hanging... kept OROP hanging... It also kept OBC issue hanging — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:54 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: India could not reach the peak of development because of Congress, says Modi

India could not reach the peak of development because of Congress. Countries that got independence along with us are way ahead of us — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:53 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Congress is also against ending Maoists and Naxalism, says Modi

Congress is also against ending Maoists and Naxalism. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:52 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'Moment Congress hears about reforms, Congress uses its full force to stop it'

The moment Congress hears about reforms, Congress uses its full force to stop it — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:51 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Congress is anti-reform party, says Modi

Congress is anti-reform party. They protest against all initiatives that are launched to bring reforms. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:50 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: SP is against women reservation, says Modi

SP is against women reservation. Women of Uttar Pradesh and the country won't forget. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:48 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Opposition parties have cheated their own people, says Modi

If this Bill had passed, all states would've benefitted. But Opposition parties have cheated their own people. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:47 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: We have been saying each state's representation would increase proportionately, says Modi

We have been saying each state's representation would increase proportionately — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:47 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Congress, its friends learnt divide and rule from the British, says Modi

Congress and its friends are constantly lying about delimitation. They have learnt divide and rule from the British. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:45 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: They fear if women become powerful, they will be threat to family-run parties, says Modi

They fear if women become powerful, they will be threat to family-run parties — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:43 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Congress does not want regional parties to grow, says Modi

Congress does not want regional parties to grow. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:42 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: I had expected Congress to rectify its mistakes, says Modi

I had expected Congress to rectify its mistakes. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:42 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Congress and its friends have been unmasked, says Modi

Congress and its friends have been unmasked — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:41 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Congress was always against women reservation, says Modi

Congress was always against women reservation. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:40 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Congress, TMC, SP and DMK are against the Constitution of India, says Modi

Congress, TMC, SP and DMK are against the Constitution of India, against the women. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:39 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: The Women Reservation Bill is the need of the hour, says Modi

The Women Reservation Bill is the need of the hour. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:38 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: The Women Reservation Bill wanted to give wings to the women of the 21st Century, says Modi

The Women Reservation Bill wanted to give wings to the women of the 21st Century. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:37 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: The Women Reservation Bill was not to snatch anything, says Modi

The Women Reservation Bill was not to snatch anything.. but to give everyone something. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:37 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Opposition will be punished for failing the Women Reservation Bill, says Modi

Opposition will be punished for failing the Women Reservation Bill — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:36 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'The Opposition is taking nari shakti for granted'

The Opposition is taking nari shakti for granted — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:34 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'Opposition thumping tables an insult to women'

Opposition thumping tables an insult to women — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:34 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Congress, DMK, TMC, and SP were happy and clapping

Congress, DMK, TMC, and SP were happy and clapping when the Bill for women failed. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:33 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: We apologise for not being able to pass Women Reservation Bill

Dreams of women of the country dashed. We could not pass the Women Reservation Bill, we apologise for that. — Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Apr 18, 2026 08:31 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Modi begins address to nation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi begins address to nation.

Apr 18, 2026 08:08 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'Yet another web of falsehoods', Mamata reacts to Modi's address

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee says, "Today, Prime Minister Modi will once again address the nation with yet another web of falsehoods."

Watch video here

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Apr 18, 2026 07:56 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Delimitation was attempt to reduce representation of TN, southern and NE states in Parliament, says Rahul Gandhi

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says, "Delimitation was a clear attempt by the BJP to reduce the representation of Tamil Nadu, the Southern states, and the Northeast in Parliament."

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Apr 18, 2026 07:42 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Delink rights of women from complexities of census, delimitation: Himachal Pradesh minister

Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh on Saturday demanded the Centre should delink the rights of women from the complexities of census and delimitation.

"If the intention is truly to empower the 50 percent of our population, why wait for a map to be redrawn? Implementation should be immediate, unconditional and fair to all regions of India," the public works minister told reporters here.

Speaking of the structural flaws and alleged political motives behind the stalemate of the Women's Reservation Bill, he said, "We cannot allow the daughters of India to be used as a shield for a project aimed at regional disenfranchisement." Singh demanded sincerity from the Union in implementing the 33 per cent quota within the existing 543 seats immediately for the 2029 general election. — PTI

Apr 18, 2026 07:30 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: TN would get many more seats but DMK didn't want this, says Modi

On Delimitation: Based on 2011 census, TN was going to get so many more seats, but clearly DMK didn't want this to happen, says PM Modi in TN. — PTI

Apr 18, 2026 07:29 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Why DMK, Cong cant see women rise? asks Modi

On Women's reservation: Why does it trouble DMK, Congress to see ordinary women rise, asks PM Modi in Coimbatore. — PTI

Apr 18, 2026 07:28 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: DMK made U-turn, says Modi

On Delimitation: DMK wanted current proportional representation must be maintained, we proposed that but now they made U-turn — PM Modi in TN

Apr 18, 2026 07:27 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'Not the end of fight'

I assure you this not end of our fight on women's quota, just beginning; BJP, NDA will keep fighting for your rights: PM Modi in Coimbatore — PTI

Apr 18, 2026 07:14 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'Visionless' DMK cost TN women representation in LS, state assembly: Sitharaman

Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday trained guns at the DMK and its ally Congress, alleging that they have made Tamil Nadu lose out on an opportunity for women's representation in Parliament and the state assembly. "Due to the short-sighted, stubborn, visionless and anti-women DMK, Tamil Nadu may end up losing more, instead of gaining," Sitharaman said. Her remarks came after AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami slammed the DMK, claiming that Tamil Nadu lost the opportunity to increase its political power and its rightful share of 20 more MP seats due to Chief Minister M K Stalin's "blind opposition" to a bill that sought to implement reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 and increase the Lok Sabha seats. A Constitution Amendment Bill seeking to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats was defeated in the Lower House on Friday. — PTI

Apr 18, 2026 06:59 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: 'Feudal mindset': Smriti Irani accuses Congress of crushing women's aspirations

Senior BJP leaders on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of "betraying" women and celebrating the defeat of their political aspirations after a Constitution Amendment Bill to implement reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 and increase the strength of the Lok Sabha was defeated in the Lower House. Addressing a press conference here, former Union minister Smriti Irani accused the Congress and its allies of rejoicing over the denial of 33 per cent reservation to women in legislatures, despite decades of demand by women leaders across parties. — PTI

Apr 18, 2026 06:45 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Centre's conspiracy to change federal structure defeated: Priyanka Gandhi on women's quota row

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday accused the Centre of conspiring to change the federal structure of the country in the garb of women's reservation and asserted that the defeat of the bill to amend the women's quota law in the Lok Sabha was a victory of democracy and opposition unity.

Addressing a press conference here, the Congress general secretary underlined that the opposition was not against reservation for women and would support the Women's Reservation Act, 2023, if the government sought to implement it on the current strength of the Lok Sabha.

The sole aim of the government behind bringing the Constitution amendment bill was to remain in power permanently, Priyanka Gandhi charged, adding that the people of the country could see through its intentions. — PTI

Apr 18, 2026 06:33 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Why did amendment Bills failed to pass Lok Sabha

PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: The three pieces of legislation, including the women's reservation amendment Bill -- the only one of the three to be put to vote -- needed a two-thirds majority to be passed into law.

But the ruling BJP-led alliance could not muster the numbers.

During polling on the bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday night, 298 members voted in its support, while 230 MPs voted against it.

Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes for a two-thirds majority.

With inputs from PTI

Apr 18, 2026 06:31 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: What happened in Parliament

PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: The Centre convened a special three-day session of Parliament and introduced three pieces of legislation.

Under the Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased up to 816 from the current 543 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 Union Territory assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.

Apr 18, 2026 06:29 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: What will he speak on

PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation tonight at 8.30 PM.

Modi is expected to delve into the issue of implementation of women's quota and the happenings in Parliament, where opposition parties on Friday voted against the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, PTI reported.

Apr 18, 2026 06:28 PM IST
PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: Welcome to the blog

PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: PM Narendra Modi will address the nation tonight at 8 PM. His address comes a day after the women's reservation Bill amendment failed to pass the Lok Sabha. We will keep you updated about the speech, the context and all political reactions. Stay tuned.

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