Black day for NDA, faced defeat for first time: Priyanka after women's quota bill fails

On linking delimitation with the women's quota bill, Priyanka Gandhi questioned how the Opposition could allow a government, which she said has no regard for institutions, to alter the number of Lok Sabha MPs on such a large scale in the name of providing reservations to women in Parliament and state assemblies.

In Short

• Priyanka Gandhi calls it a victory for democracy
• She alleges ruling party’s conspiracy to retain power
• Ready to support original 2023 bill on women's quota, says Priyanka

A day after the women’s reservation bill failed the Lok Sabha test, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Saturday described the developments as a “big victory for democracy,” asserting that the outcome reflected the strength of Opposition unity and dealt a blow to what she called the ruling side’s “conspiracy” to stay in power.

“What happened yesterday was a big victory for democracy,” she said while addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, adding that it was also “a victory against attempts to weaken the federal structure.”

"It's a Black Day for them (centre) because they've felt a shock for the first time, which they deserved," she added.

Priyanka said the impact of the outcome was visible on the faces of those in power, calling it “a victory for the Constitution and Opposition unity.”

She alleged that the government had orchestrated events with a larger political motive. According to her, “a whole conspiracy was hatched to remain in power,” and the sudden convening of the session was part of a plan to “somehow form a permanent government.”

The Congress leader suggested that the ruling side had positioned itself to claim credit regardless of the outcome. “They believed that if the bill was passed, it would be a win, and even if it was not passed, it would still be a win,” she said, adding that they had hoped to emerge as champions of women.

“But that is not so easy,” she added, arguing that the issue went beyond women’s reservations and was instead about “their freedom to act arbitrarily.”

On linking delimitation with the women’s quota bill, Priyanka Gandhi questioned how the Opposition could allow a government, which she said has no regard for institutions, to alter the number of Lok Sabha MPs on such a large scale in the name of providing reservations to women in Parliament and state assemblies.

Calling the development a setback for the ruling alliance, she said, “This is a black day for them because they have been jolted.”

She maintained that the Opposition was not against women’s reservation, but questioned the intent behind the current approach. “This was not really about women’s reservation; that is now clear,” she said, adding that women in the country can't be fooled.

Referring to past incidents, she added, “We have seen Unnao and Hathras. In Manipur, who spoke up for women?”-- suggesting that the government’s record did not match its claims.

Priyanka also highlighted what she described as the significance of Opposition unity. “I am very happy -- you all saw what happens when the Opposition unites,” she said.

She urged the government to bring back the earlier version of the legislation. “If you truly want to do something for women, bring back the 2023 bill, and we will support it,” she said.

According to Priyanka, the 2023 bill had clearly outlined that reservations for women would be implemented within the existing seats. She reiterated that the Opposition was ready to support implementation “in the current situation and existing seats.”

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, which aimed to increase Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850 to implement 33% reservation and carry out delimitation based on the 2011 Census, failed to secure the requisite two-thirds majority in the Lower House on Friday. While 298 MPs voted in favour of the bill, 230 opposed it.

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