Modi attacks rivals after failed bid to fast-track women's quota

Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Bloomberg News on Apr 18, 2026

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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a vehement attack on opposition parties a day after his proposed amendments to expand Parliament and accelerate the reservation of at least a third of seats for women were struck down by rivals.

“The opposition has committed a grave mistake by opposing the women’s reservation bill and will be punished by the people,” Modi said in a televised address on Saturday evening. “Parties that opposed the law are taking India’s women for granted.”

In a rare show of unity, Modi’s opponents on Friday closed ranks to block bills pushed by his government that would have dramatically overhauled Parliament. The proposals sought to fast-track the reservation of seats for women and expand the total number of lawmakers in the lower house by about 300.

Opposition leaders said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party did not consult them before introducing the legislation and feared that the changes would reduce their share in the lower house, or Lok Sabha, diluting their influence in federal decision-making.

Some analysts said the move is tied to upcoming state elections in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, where the BJP has never formed a government. Modi’s push to fast-track a women’s quota in Parliament could resonate with female voters in states such as West Bengal, where more than 31 million women — nearly half the electorate — are registered to vote.