April 18, 2026

Representational photo New Delhi: Announcing that protests against the move to end MGNREGA will start this week, civil society groups said Modi govt cannot use mere parliamentary majority to end a rural livelihood programme that resulted from extensive consultations across the board and forging of a national consensus that included BJP.Founding members of MGNREGA, intellectuals and advocacy groups associated with the scheme came together to slam the “VB-G RAM G” bill, arguing that provisions in the proposed legislation will mark the end of job guarantee and hurt the socially vulnerable groups that depend on it for sustenance.NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, comprising economists Jean Dreze, who was part of the Sonia Gandhi-headed NAC that played a key role in drafting the job scheme, Prabhat Patnaik and Jayati Ghosh, Annie Raja, Yogendra Yadav, B Venkat of All India Agricultural Workers Union, Mukesh Nirvasit, several NGOs and activists, addressed a press conference to express their concerns, while warning they will this week start nationwide protests against the abolition of MGNREGA. They said the shifting of financial burden to states has made the new programme uncertain as the states are cash-strapped.Patnaik said mere parliamentary majority cannot undo the national consensus that resulted in the enactment of MGNREGA, and the Modi govt needs to bring an “alternative consensus” to repeal MGNREGA. The new Bill takes away the “right-based approach” and makes the scheme a “gift” from the govt, Ghosh said. “We have seen the pattern …Right to food is a right, but now we have ration bags coming with the PM’s photo on it,” she said.Venkat said govt is trying to create a conflict between farmers and agricultural workers. “This provision to pause the scheme during peak agricultural seasons has been brought in just to please those who control the land.”Dreze said, “The Union govt would now have full power to decide when and where to implement the scheme, while the obligation is on the states. It is like saying I give a work guarantee, but don’t guarantee that the guarantee will be in place.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Vande Mataram’ Chants Echo As Indian Diaspora Welcomes PM Modi In Oman’India-Oman FTA To Open Major Opportunities Across Key Sectors’: Commerce Minister Piyush GoyalBangladesh Leader’s Seven Sisters Remark Triggers Diplomatic Row, India Summons Envoy Issues WarningBusiness Leaders See Major Growth Potential In India-Oman Ties As PM Modi Visits Muscat‘Might Never See Him Again’: Imran Khan’s Sons Claim ‘Psychological Torture’ In Pak’s Adiala JailDelhi Pollution: China Shares Playbook On How To Fix Air Quality Amid Politics Over AccountabilityExplained: The ₹30 Crore Film Deal That Led To Bollywood Director Vikram Bhatt And His Wife’s ArrestIndia Strengthens Maritime Dominance As Second MH-60R Squadron Joins Indian Navy At INS HansaViksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill Explained: Education Reform Or A Quiet Erosion Of FederalismNational Herald Case: Kharge Alleges ED Misuse, BJP Strikes Back With ‘Most Corrupt Family’ Dig123PhotostoriesBollywood book adaptations from Devdas, Maqbool, Badlapur that shine on screenWhat to gift a fitness enthusiast for Christmas 2025Belly fat isn’t just about weight: Doctor explains how it is linked to fatty liver and diabetes5 ways to add peanut butter to daily breakfast8 types of winter laddoos to keep you warmCatching the vibe of the ‘grey’ season: 5 animals that are grey in colourChristmas 2025: How to make moist Eggless Chocolate Cake in a pressure cooker5-minute brain workouts that work: Memory-boosting moves for all agesJohn Abraham birthday special: ‘Dhoom’, ‘Force’, ‘The Diplomat’, films with career-defining roles that made him Bollywood’s ultimate action star to watch on OTT platforms5 upcoming sneaker releases of 2026 that will be worth the hype123Hot PicksBomb Threat AhmedabadPark Medi World sharesPunjab election result 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingTaylor Swift WeddingJosh Jacobs InjuryMarvin Harrison JrWho is Quinn EwersPatrick MahomesTravis KelceChris PaulEthan McLeodStephen Curry NBA ContractNBA Cup Banner

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins
Representational photo New Delhi: Announcing that protests against the move to end MGNREGA will start this week, civil society groups said Modi govt cannot use mere parliamentary majority to end a rural livelihood programme that resulted from extensive consultations across the board and forging of a national consensus that included BJP.Founding members of MGNREGA, intellectuals and advocacy groups associated with the scheme came together to slam the “VB-G RAM G” bill, arguing that provisions in the proposed legislation will mark the end of job guarantee and hurt the socially vulnerable groups that depend on it for sustenance.NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, comprising economists Jean Dreze, who was part of the Sonia Gandhi-headed NAC that played a key role in drafting the job scheme, Prabhat Patnaik and Jayati Ghosh, Annie Raja, Yogendra Yadav, B Venkat of All India Agricultural Workers Union, Mukesh Nirvasit, several NGOs and activists, addressed a press conference to express their concerns, while warning they will this week start nationwide protests against the abolition of MGNREGA. They said the shifting of financial burden to states has made the new programme uncertain as the states are cash-strapped.Patnaik said mere parliamentary majority cannot undo the national consensus that resulted in the enactment of MGNREGA, and the Modi govt needs to bring an “alternative consensus” to repeal MGNREGA. The new Bill takes away the “right-based approach” and makes the scheme a “gift” from the govt, Ghosh said. “We have seen the pattern …Right to food is a right, but now we have ration bags coming with the PM’s photo on it,” she said.Venkat said govt is trying to create a conflict between farmers and agricultural workers. “This provision to pause the scheme during peak agricultural seasons has been brought in just to please those who control the land.”Dreze said, “The Union govt would now have full power to decide when and where to implement the scheme, while the obligation is on the states. It is like saying I give a work guarantee, but don’t guarantee that the guarantee will be in place.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Vande Mataram’ Chants Echo As Indian Diaspora Welcomes PM Modi In Oman’India-Oman FTA To Open Major Opportunities Across Key Sectors’: Commerce Minister Piyush GoyalBangladesh Leader’s Seven Sisters Remark Triggers Diplomatic Row, India Summons Envoy Issues WarningBusiness Leaders See Major Growth Potential In India-Oman Ties As PM Modi Visits Muscat‘Might Never See Him Again’: Imran Khan’s Sons Claim ‘Psychological Torture’ In Pak’s Adiala JailDelhi Pollution: China Shares Playbook On How To Fix Air Quality Amid Politics Over AccountabilityExplained: The ₹30 Crore Film Deal That Led To Bollywood Director Vikram Bhatt And His Wife’s ArrestIndia Strengthens Maritime Dominance As Second MH-60R Squadron Joins Indian Navy At INS HansaViksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill Explained: Education Reform Or A Quiet Erosion Of FederalismNational Herald Case: Kharge Alleges ED Misuse, BJP Strikes Back With ‘Most Corrupt Family’ Dig123PhotostoriesBollywood book adaptations from Devdas, Maqbool, Badlapur that shine on screenWhat to gift a fitness enthusiast for Christmas 2025Belly fat isn’t just about weight: Doctor explains how it is linked to fatty liver and diabetes5 ways to add peanut butter to daily breakfast8 types of winter laddoos to keep you warmCatching the vibe of the ‘grey’ season: 5 animals that are grey in colourChristmas 2025: How to make moist Eggless Chocolate Cake in a pressure cooker5-minute brain workouts that work: Memory-boosting moves for all agesJohn Abraham birthday special: ‘Dhoom’, ‘Force’, ‘The Diplomat’, films with career-defining roles that made him Bollywood’s ultimate action star to watch on OTT platforms5 upcoming sneaker releases of 2026 that will be worth the hype123Hot PicksBomb Threat AhmedabadPark Medi World sharesPunjab election result 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingTaylor Swift WeddingJosh Jacobs InjuryMarvin Harrison JrWho is Quinn EwersPatrick MahomesTravis KelceChris PaulEthan McLeodStephen Curry NBA ContractNBA Cup Banner


Activists demand rollback of ‘G RAM G’, warn of protests

New Delhi: Announcing that protests against the move to end MGNREGA will start this week, civil society groups said Modi govt cannot use mere parliamentary majority to end a rural livelihood programme that resulted from extensive consultations across the board and forging of a national consensus that included BJP.Founding members of MGNREGA, intellectuals and advocacy groups associated with the scheme came together to slam the “VB-G RAM G” bill, arguing that provisions in the proposed legislation will mark the end of job guarantee and hurt the socially vulnerable groups that depend on it for sustenance.NREGA Sangharsh Morcha, comprising economists Jean Dreze, who was part of the Sonia Gandhi-headed NAC that played a key role in drafting the job scheme, Prabhat Patnaik and Jayati Ghosh, Annie Raja, Yogendra Yadav, B Venkat of All India Agricultural Workers Union, Mukesh Nirvasit, several NGOs and activists, addressed a press conference to express their concerns, while warning they will this week start nationwide protests against the abolition of MGNREGA. They said the shifting of financial burden to states has made the new programme uncertain as the states are cash-strapped.Patnaik said mere parliamentary majority cannot undo the national consensus that resulted in the enactment of MGNREGA, and the Modi govt needs to bring an “alternative consensus” to repeal MGNREGA. The new Bill takes away the “right-based approach” and makes the scheme a “gift” from the govt, Ghosh said. “We have seen the pattern …Right to food is a right, but now we have ration bags coming with the PM’s photo on it,” she said.Venkat said govt is trying to create a conflict between farmers and agricultural workers. “This provision to pause the scheme during peak agricultural seasons has been brought in just to please those who control the land.”Dreze said, “The Union govt would now have full power to decide when and where to implement the scheme, while the obligation is on the states. It is like saying I give a work guarantee, but don’t guarantee that the guarantee will be in place.”



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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government have had several firsts to its credit in the last 12 years of its rule. On Friday, it added another first to that list. However, this was one “first” which the government may not be very happy about. For the first time since 2014, when PM Modi came to power, his government failed to pass a bill in Parliament. This was a move that could have been avoided. So the question is weather it was a part of the strategy or just poor planning. Watch Modi Govt’s Women Quota Bill Crashes In Lok Sabha, Fails 2/3 Majority Test A vote meant to be lost?From the outset, it was clear that the government would struggle to secure the roughly 360 votes needed for passage. Even with full NDA support and backing from a few fence-sitters, the numbers simply did not add up.Yet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah signalled during the debate in Lok Sabha that the intention was not just legislative success, but political positioning.By calling for a vote, the government ensured that every MP’s stance would be recorded. In a highly polarised political environment, that list becomes a powerful campaign tool.This is what BJP leaders described as the battle of “neeyat” (intent). “We don’t want credit. I give you a blank cheque for claiming credit on passage of women quota bill. If you want me to use the word ‘guarantee’, I use the word ‘guarantee’. If you want me to make a promise, I use the word ‘promise’. Because if the intention is clear, there is no need to play games with words,” PM Modi told Lok Sabha during the debate.Even in defeat, the government could claim it had done its part to push a reform, while shifting the spotlight onto those who opposed it.In fact, after the bill was defeated, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju told the House that the opposition lost a historic opportunity to honour the country’s women but the Modi government’s struggle to give rights to women will continue.”We will not take rest till we ensure that the country’s women get reservation in legislatures,” he said. The timing mattersThe timing of the bill was also important. With assembly elections scheduled in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, the move is likely to help BJP in shaping the political narrative well in advance.Some believe the bill would have relieved pressure to grant another OBC quota, given that “social justice” issues have become a red rag for BJP’s social base of upper castes, as was evident from their incendiary reaction to UGC guidelines.The picture is straightforward: the BJP backed a bill that would eventually ensure 33% reservation for women in legislatures, while opposition parties blocked it.Amit Shah made this explicit during his reply, warning that those who voted against the bill would have to answer to women voters.After the voting, Shah specifically blamed “Congress, TMC, DMK, and Samajwadi Party” for not allowing its passage.He said after the bill was defeated, the opposition parties were celebrating and raising victory cries which is beyond imagination and condemnable.”Now, the women of the country will not get the 33 per cent reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, which was their right. The Congress and its allies have done this not for the first time, but repeatedly. Their mindset is neither in the interest of women nor of the country,” he said in a post on X in Hindi.Shah said this “insult to the women of the country will not stop here but will travel far and wide”.”The opposition will have to face the wrath of women not only in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, but at every level, in every election, and at every place,” he said.Meanwhile, BJP sources told TOI that opposition’s “charges were exposed as lies. That opposition did not budge despite Amit Shah’s offer to write a guarantee about South’s share in the law showed they had manufactured a conspiracy.”For the BJP, the vote provides a ready-made contrast: intent versus obstruction. The delimitation factorAt the heart of the controversy lies the structure of the bill itself. It was not a standalone women’s reservation measure, but part of a larger package linked to delimitation.The proposed amendment sought to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to a maximum of 850 seats. The 33% reservation for women was tied to this expanded House, to be implemented after a fresh delimitation exercise based on updated population data.This is where the opposition drew the line.Parties such as the Congress, DMK and Trinamool Congress argued that delimitation based on population would disproportionately affect southern states, which have seen slower population growth compared to the Hindi heartland. They accused the government of using women’s reservation as a cover for a politically sensitive restructuring of parliamentary representation.By bundling the two issues, the government effectively forced a binary choice. Supporting the bill meant accepting the delimitation framework; opposing it risked being labelled anti-women.Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi in a post on X wrote: “The amendment bill has fallen. They used an unconstitutional trick to break the Constitution in the name of women. India has seen it. INDIA has stopped it.”Rahul further said, “I want to tell PM that if he wants women’s reservation, he should bring 2023 law and entire opposition will support it. We clearly said that this is not a women’s bill but an attempt to change India’s electoral structure.” Alliance math on displayThe vote also offered a glimpse into the current state of parliamentary alliances. If not anything, with the voting, the BJP was able to test the strength of its own party and allies and at the same time, also to test the waters in the opposition camp.While the BJP’s own strength in the Lok Sabha is 240, the NDA managed to secure 298 votes, indicating that its allies largely remained on board. This suggests that the coalition, at least for now, is intact and responsive to the BJP’s legislative push.However, the government was unable to attract sufficient support from opposition parties or induce abstentions that could have lowered the effective majority threshold.Regional parties like the YSR Congress Party and the Biju Janata Dal were closely watched.In that sense, the vote functioned as a litmus test — not just of strength, but of reach.The safety net of the 2023 lawEven as the 2026 bill headed towards defeat, the government moved to ensure that the broader objective of women’s reservation was not entirely derailed.In a significant procedural step, it re-notified the 2023 Women’s Reservation Act in the Gazette during the debate. This earlier law provides for 33% reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, but ties its implementation to a future Census and delimitation exercise.By doing so, the government created a fallback. Even if the new amendment failed, which eventually did, the legal framework for reservation would remain intact.The opposition, however, dismissed this as a face-saving exercise, arguing that the government was aware of its lack of numbers and was attempting to manage the optics of defeat.What the defeat meansWith the Constitution Amendment Bill failing, the government has decided not to move related legislation, including the Delimitation Bill and amendments concerning Union Territories.For now, the implementation of women’s reservation remains tied to the 2023 law, which itself depends on processes that are yet to be completed. This leaves timelines uncertain and the issue politically alive.But beyond the legislative outcome, the political consequences are already unfolding.The BJP is expected to use the vote aggressively in its campaign messaging, portraying the opposition as having blocked a key reform. For opposition parties, the challenge will be to explain their stance without appearing to oppose women’s representation. They will have to focus on the “disadvantage” of the delimitation process.In the end, the bigger picture is not about the fact that the bill failed. It is about why it was moved despite that certainty.By doing so, the BJP government seems to have shifted the centre of gravity from inside Parliament to outside it, where votes are ultimately won or lost.Now, whether it eventually helps the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls or not will be interesting to watch.About the AuthorPallaviNews desk journalist, digital, at The Times of India, with a focus on Indian politics. Over a decade of chasing stories, taming headlines and arguing with commas like they’re part of the opposition. Tracks elections, policy pivots, party drama and the fine print of power, where every word can tilt the narrative. Believes good journalism is clarity under pressure, ideally filed before the next breaking alert crashes in. Powered by deadlines, context, sharp edits and a steady supply of strong tea.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Day For Centre’: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Blasts Delimitation ‘Conspiracy’ By Modi GovtIndia Reviews Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request As Dhaka Pushes For TrialAllahabad High Court Directs FIR Against Rahul Gandhi, Revives Dual Citizenship Controversy‘I Saved Millions Of Lives’: ‘Peacemaker’ Donald Trump’s Big India-Pakistan Ceasefire Claim ReturnsTrump Reverses Russian Oil Sanctions Waiver Decision In 48 Hours, India Gets Fresh Buying WindowUkraine Envoy Rustem Umerov Meets Jaishankar, Ajit Doval In Delhi To Discuss Peace RoadmapModi Govt’s Women Quota Bill Crashes In Lok Sabha, Fails 2/3 Majority TestSad Day For Women’: Priyanka Chaturvedi Breaks With INDIA Bloc In Lok Sabha RowNo Nari Shakti! Women’s Bill Fails Lok Sabha Test, Protest Erupt | ‘Women Won’t Forgive’Trump’s Expected Pakistan Visit May Include Kashmir Talks, Report Fuels Speculation123PhotostoriesThings you should NEVER Do on Akshaya Tritiya based on your birth dateTop 5 residential hotspots in Nagpur for upscale living and long-term investment potentialIndian dishes astronauts took to space and why they chose themGetting married after 30? Have THESE 5 conversations first or regret it laterLucknow-Kanpur expressway set to open: Rs 275 toll for one-way, Rs 415 for return within 24 hoursFrom rejecting the role of Jethalal in TMKOC to building a net worth of Rs 40 crore: Lesser-known facts about Ali AsgarNayanthara and Vignesh Shivan on Parenting: 6 Ways to raise kinder, more patient kids8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin C DeficiencyWhy traditional Indian homes were naturally cooler and what modern designs can learn from them7 traditional Indian summer drinks people drank before refrigerators123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayAnti-Islam influencerNetanyahuSue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government have had several firsts to its credit in the last 12 years of its rule. On Friday, it added another first to that list. However, this was one “first” which the government may not be very happy about. For the first time since 2014, when PM Modi came to power, his government failed to pass a bill in Parliament. This was a move that could have been avoided. So the question is weather it was a part of the strategy or just poor planning. Watch Modi Govt’s Women Quota Bill Crashes In Lok Sabha, Fails 2/3 Majority Test A vote meant to be lost?From the outset, it was clear that the government would struggle to secure the roughly 360 votes needed for passage. Even with full NDA support and backing from a few fence-sitters, the numbers simply did not add up.Yet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah signalled during the debate in Lok Sabha that the intention was not just legislative success, but political positioning.By calling for a vote, the government ensured that every MP’s stance would be recorded. In a highly polarised political environment, that list becomes a powerful campaign tool.This is what BJP leaders described as the battle of “neeyat” (intent). “We don’t want credit. I give you a blank cheque for claiming credit on passage of women quota bill. If you want me to use the word ‘guarantee’, I use the word ‘guarantee’. If you want me to make a promise, I use the word ‘promise’. Because if the intention is clear, there is no need to play games with words,” PM Modi told Lok Sabha during the debate.Even in defeat, the government could claim it had done its part to push a reform, while shifting the spotlight onto those who opposed it.In fact, after the bill was defeated, parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju told the House that the opposition lost a historic opportunity to honour the country’s women but the Modi government’s struggle to give rights to women will continue.”We will not take rest till we ensure that the country’s women get reservation in legislatures,” he said. The timing mattersThe timing of the bill was also important. With assembly elections scheduled in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, the move is likely to help BJP in shaping the political narrative well in advance.Some believe the bill would have relieved pressure to grant another OBC quota, given that “social justice” issues have become a red rag for BJP’s social base of upper castes, as was evident from their incendiary reaction to UGC guidelines.The picture is straightforward: the BJP backed a bill that would eventually ensure 33% reservation for women in legislatures, while opposition parties blocked it.Amit Shah made this explicit during his reply, warning that those who voted against the bill would have to answer to women voters.After the voting, Shah specifically blamed “Congress, TMC, DMK, and Samajwadi Party” for not allowing its passage.He said after the bill was defeated, the opposition parties were celebrating and raising victory cries which is beyond imagination and condemnable.”Now, the women of the country will not get the 33 per cent reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, which was their right. The Congress and its allies have done this not for the first time, but repeatedly. Their mindset is neither in the interest of women nor of the country,” he said in a post on X in Hindi.Shah said this “insult to the women of the country will not stop here but will travel far and wide”.”The opposition will have to face the wrath of women not only in the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, but at every level, in every election, and at every place,” he said.Meanwhile, BJP sources told TOI that opposition’s “charges were exposed as lies. That opposition did not budge despite Amit Shah’s offer to write a guarantee about South’s share in the law showed they had manufactured a conspiracy.”For the BJP, the vote provides a ready-made contrast: intent versus obstruction. The delimitation factorAt the heart of the controversy lies the structure of the bill itself. It was not a standalone women’s reservation measure, but part of a larger package linked to delimitation.The proposed amendment sought to increase the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to a maximum of 850 seats. The 33% reservation for women was tied to this expanded House, to be implemented after a fresh delimitation exercise based on updated population data.This is where the opposition drew the line.Parties such as the Congress, DMK and Trinamool Congress argued that delimitation based on population would disproportionately affect southern states, which have seen slower population growth compared to the Hindi heartland. They accused the government of using women’s reservation as a cover for a politically sensitive restructuring of parliamentary representation.By bundling the two issues, the government effectively forced a binary choice. Supporting the bill meant accepting the delimitation framework; opposing it risked being labelled anti-women.Lok Sabha leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi in a post on X wrote: “The amendment bill has fallen. They used an unconstitutional trick to break the Constitution in the name of women. India has seen it. INDIA has stopped it.”Rahul further said, “I want to tell PM that if he wants women’s reservation, he should bring 2023 law and entire opposition will support it. We clearly said that this is not a women’s bill but an attempt to change India’s electoral structure.” Alliance math on displayThe vote also offered a glimpse into the current state of parliamentary alliances. If not anything, with the voting, the BJP was able to test the strength of its own party and allies and at the same time, also to test the waters in the opposition camp.While the BJP’s own strength in the Lok Sabha is 240, the NDA managed to secure 298 votes, indicating that its allies largely remained on board. This suggests that the coalition, at least for now, is intact and responsive to the BJP’s legislative push.However, the government was unable to attract sufficient support from opposition parties or induce abstentions that could have lowered the effective majority threshold.Regional parties like the YSR Congress Party and the Biju Janata Dal were closely watched.In that sense, the vote functioned as a litmus test — not just of strength, but of reach.The safety net of the 2023 lawEven as the 2026 bill headed towards defeat, the government moved to ensure that the broader objective of women’s reservation was not entirely derailed.In a significant procedural step, it re-notified the 2023 Women’s Reservation Act in the Gazette during the debate. This earlier law provides for 33% reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, but ties its implementation to a future Census and delimitation exercise.By doing so, the government created a fallback. Even if the new amendment failed, which eventually did, the legal framework for reservation would remain intact.The opposition, however, dismissed this as a face-saving exercise, arguing that the government was aware of its lack of numbers and was attempting to manage the optics of defeat.What the defeat meansWith the Constitution Amendment Bill failing, the government has decided not to move related legislation, including the Delimitation Bill and amendments concerning Union Territories.For now, the implementation of women’s reservation remains tied to the 2023 law, which itself depends on processes that are yet to be completed. This leaves timelines uncertain and the issue politically alive.But beyond the legislative outcome, the political consequences are already unfolding.The BJP is expected to use the vote aggressively in its campaign messaging, portraying the opposition as having blocked a key reform. For opposition parties, the challenge will be to explain their stance without appearing to oppose women’s representation. They will have to focus on the “disadvantage” of the delimitation process.In the end, the bigger picture is not about the fact that the bill failed. It is about why it was moved despite that certainty.By doing so, the BJP government seems to have shifted the centre of gravity from inside Parliament to outside it, where votes are ultimately won or lost.Now, whether it eventually helps the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections and the 2029 Lok Sabha polls or not will be interesting to watch.About the AuthorPallaviNews desk journalist, digital, at The Times of India, with a focus on Indian politics. Over a decade of chasing stories, taming headlines and arguing with commas like they’re part of the opposition. Tracks elections, policy pivots, party drama and the fine print of power, where every word can tilt the narrative. Believes good journalism is clarity under pressure, ideally filed before the next breaking alert crashes in. Powered by deadlines, context, sharp edits and a steady supply of strong tea.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Day For Centre’: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Blasts Delimitation ‘Conspiracy’ By Modi GovtIndia Reviews Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request As Dhaka Pushes For TrialAllahabad High Court Directs FIR Against Rahul Gandhi, Revives Dual Citizenship Controversy‘I Saved Millions Of Lives’: ‘Peacemaker’ Donald Trump’s Big India-Pakistan Ceasefire Claim ReturnsTrump Reverses Russian Oil Sanctions Waiver Decision In 48 Hours, India Gets Fresh Buying WindowUkraine Envoy Rustem Umerov Meets Jaishankar, Ajit Doval In Delhi To Discuss Peace RoadmapModi Govt’s Women Quota Bill Crashes In Lok Sabha, Fails 2/3 Majority TestSad Day For Women’: Priyanka Chaturvedi Breaks With INDIA Bloc In Lok Sabha RowNo Nari Shakti! Women’s Bill Fails Lok Sabha Test, Protest Erupt | ‘Women Won’t Forgive’Trump’s Expected Pakistan Visit May Include Kashmir Talks, Report Fuels Speculation123PhotostoriesThings you should NEVER Do on Akshaya Tritiya based on your birth dateTop 5 residential hotspots in Nagpur for upscale living and long-term investment potentialIndian dishes astronauts took to space and why they chose themGetting married after 30? Have THESE 5 conversations first or regret it laterLucknow-Kanpur expressway set to open: Rs 275 toll for one-way, Rs 415 for return within 24 hoursFrom rejecting the role of Jethalal in TMKOC to building a net worth of Rs 40 crore: Lesser-known facts about Ali AsgarNayanthara and Vignesh Shivan on Parenting: 6 Ways to raise kinder, more patient kids8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin C DeficiencyWhy traditional Indian homes were naturally cooler and what modern designs can learn from them7 traditional Indian summer drinks people drank before refrigerators123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayAnti-Islam influencerNetanyahuSue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Vamsikrishna 0
‘First defeat in 12 years’: Stalin takes dig at PM Modi after women’s reservation bill collapse NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday celebrated the defeat of the delimitation bill in Parliament by distributing sweets and lighting firecrackers, claiming that the “fire he ignited” had “scorched Delhi’s arrogance” and dealt a “severe blow” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.The proposed bill, which sought to expand the Lok Sabha to 850 members, remove the decades-long freeze on using 1971 Census data for seat allocation, and give Parliament the power to decide by simple majority which census figures to use, had sparked widespread opposition in southern states. Critics argued that the changes would diminish the political influence of southern states in national policy-making.’First defeat faced by Modi in his 12 years’Referring to his act of burning a copy of the delimitation document a day earlier, Stalin told an election rally in Dindigul: “With the responsibility of chief minister of Tamil Nadu, given to me by you (people), the fire ignited by Stalin has ‘scorched’ Delhi’s arrogance. Our struggle (against delimitation) succeeded. Black shirt force has defeated the saffron brigade.”Stalin claimed this was perhaps the first defeat faced by Modi in his twelve years in office and said the “massive defeat” was just the beginning.”This is the first blow to the saffron party. At least from now onwards, don’t provoke Tamil Nadu. You will not be able to bear it (if we retaliate). This is also perhaps the first defeat faced by Modi in his 12 years rule,” Stalin said.He said the bill’s defeat in Parliament was just a “trailer” and that “more victories will follow us,” expressing confidence that the DMK-led alliance would win over 200 seats in the April 23 assembly election.Stalin also called the bill’s defeat “a massive pre-poll defeat for AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami,” urging voters to ensure the “total defeat” of the BJP and its “slave” Palaniswami on April 23.He claimed the BJP had thought Tamil Nadu would be “lethargic” if the delimitation bill was brought during elections. “But Tamil Nadu is always vigilant. It is Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin who is in Tamil Nadu,” he said, adding that the BJP’s defeat will start from the state.Southern fears over delimitationThe proposed legislation had alarmed southern states, including Tamil Nadu, which feared that shifting the basis of population data from the 1971 Census to more recent figures would penalise states that had successfully implemented population control measures. Stalin had consistently argued that such a move would reduce Tamil Nadu’s representation in Parliament.Thanks to INDIA blocIn a post on X, Stalin thanked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders, emphasising the need for unity among opposition parties.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Day For Centre’: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Blasts Delimitation ‘Conspiracy’ By Modi GovtIndia Reviews Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request As Dhaka Pushes For TrialAllahabad High Court Directs FIR Against Rahul Gandhi, Revives Dual Citizenship Controversy‘I Saved Millions Of Lives’: ‘Peacemaker’ Donald Trump’s Big India-Pakistan Ceasefire Claim ReturnsTrump Reverses Russian Oil Sanctions Waiver Decision In 48 Hours, India Gets Fresh Buying WindowUkraine Envoy Rustem Umerov Meets Jaishankar, Ajit Doval In Delhi To Discuss Peace RoadmapModi Govt’s Women Quota Bill Crashes In Lok Sabha, Fails 2/3 Majority TestSad Day For Women’: Priyanka Chaturvedi Breaks With INDIA Bloc In Lok Sabha RowNo Nari Shakti! Women’s Bill Fails Lok Sabha Test, Protest Erupt | ‘Women Won’t Forgive’Trump’s Expected Pakistan Visit May Include Kashmir Talks, Report Fuels Speculation123PhotostoriesIndian dishes astronauts took to space and why they chose themLucknow-Kanpur expressway set to open: Rs 275 toll for one-way, Rs 415 for return within 24 hoursFrom rejecting the role of Jethalal in TMKOC to building a net worth of Rs 40 crore: Lesser-known facts about Ali AsgarNayanthara and Vignesh Shivan on Parenting: 6 Ways to raise kinder, more patient kids8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin C DeficiencyWhy traditional Indian homes were naturally cooler and what modern designs can learn from them7 traditional Indian summer drinks people drank before refrigeratorsIndia’s NCD crisis is deepening and lifestyle management is the missing link5 jewellery pieces to buy on Akshaya Tritiya 2026Do you really need 3 meals a day? Expert says it depends on your body and lifestyle123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayAnti-Islam influencerNetanyahuSue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

‘First defeat in 12 years’: Stalin takes dig at PM Modi after women’s reservation bill collapse NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday celebrated the defeat of the delimitation bill in Parliament by distributing sweets and lighting firecrackers, claiming that the “fire he ignited” had “scorched Delhi’s arrogance” and dealt a “severe blow” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP.The proposed bill, which sought to expand the Lok Sabha to 850 members, remove the decades-long freeze on using 1971 Census data for seat allocation, and give Parliament the power to decide by simple majority which census figures to use, had sparked widespread opposition in southern states. Critics argued that the changes would diminish the political influence of southern states in national policy-making.’First defeat faced by Modi in his 12 years’Referring to his act of burning a copy of the delimitation document a day earlier, Stalin told an election rally in Dindigul: “With the responsibility of chief minister of Tamil Nadu, given to me by you (people), the fire ignited by Stalin has ‘scorched’ Delhi’s arrogance. Our struggle (against delimitation) succeeded. Black shirt force has defeated the saffron brigade.”Stalin claimed this was perhaps the first defeat faced by Modi in his twelve years in office and said the “massive defeat” was just the beginning.”This is the first blow to the saffron party. At least from now onwards, don’t provoke Tamil Nadu. You will not be able to bear it (if we retaliate). This is also perhaps the first defeat faced by Modi in his 12 years rule,” Stalin said.He said the bill’s defeat in Parliament was just a “trailer” and that “more victories will follow us,” expressing confidence that the DMK-led alliance would win over 200 seats in the April 23 assembly election.Stalin also called the bill’s defeat “a massive pre-poll defeat for AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami,” urging voters to ensure the “total defeat” of the BJP and its “slave” Palaniswami on April 23.He claimed the BJP had thought Tamil Nadu would be “lethargic” if the delimitation bill was brought during elections. “But Tamil Nadu is always vigilant. It is Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin who is in Tamil Nadu,” he said, adding that the BJP’s defeat will start from the state.Southern fears over delimitationThe proposed legislation had alarmed southern states, including Tamil Nadu, which feared that shifting the basis of population data from the 1971 Census to more recent figures would penalise states that had successfully implemented population control measures. Stalin had consistently argued that such a move would reduce Tamil Nadu’s representation in Parliament.Thanks to INDIA blocIn a post on X, Stalin thanked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders, emphasising the need for unity among opposition parties.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Day For Centre’: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Blasts Delimitation ‘Conspiracy’ By Modi GovtIndia Reviews Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request As Dhaka Pushes For TrialAllahabad High Court Directs FIR Against Rahul Gandhi, Revives Dual Citizenship Controversy‘I Saved Millions Of Lives’: ‘Peacemaker’ Donald Trump’s Big India-Pakistan Ceasefire Claim ReturnsTrump Reverses Russian Oil Sanctions Waiver Decision In 48 Hours, India Gets Fresh Buying WindowUkraine Envoy Rustem Umerov Meets Jaishankar, Ajit Doval In Delhi To Discuss Peace RoadmapModi Govt’s Women Quota Bill Crashes In Lok Sabha, Fails 2/3 Majority TestSad Day For Women’: Priyanka Chaturvedi Breaks With INDIA Bloc In Lok Sabha RowNo Nari Shakti! Women’s Bill Fails Lok Sabha Test, Protest Erupt | ‘Women Won’t Forgive’Trump’s Expected Pakistan Visit May Include Kashmir Talks, Report Fuels Speculation123PhotostoriesIndian dishes astronauts took to space and why they chose themLucknow-Kanpur expressway set to open: Rs 275 toll for one-way, Rs 415 for return within 24 hoursFrom rejecting the role of Jethalal in TMKOC to building a net worth of Rs 40 crore: Lesser-known facts about Ali AsgarNayanthara and Vignesh Shivan on Parenting: 6 Ways to raise kinder, more patient kids8 Signs and Symptoms of Vitamin C DeficiencyWhy traditional Indian homes were naturally cooler and what modern designs can learn from them7 traditional Indian summer drinks people drank before refrigeratorsIndia’s NCD crisis is deepening and lifestyle management is the missing link5 jewellery pieces to buy on Akshaya Tritiya 2026Do you really need 3 meals a day? Expert says it depends on your body and lifestyle123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayAnti-Islam influencerNetanyahuSue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

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Abhishek Banerjee NEW DELHI: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the NDA government after the delimitation bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha, saying the Centre is “clearly on borrowed time.”Banerjee, widely seen as second in command in the TMC, said the outcome had exposed the BJP’s “discomfort… for all to see”. In a post on X, he argued that the opposition INDIA bloc rejected the proposal over concerns about fairness, particularly the plan to base delimitation on the 2011 Census while expanding the House to over 800 seats. “The illusion of control is beginning to crumble in plain sight,” he said, in a direct swipe at the Centre. Watch ‘PM Modi Doing Nautanki’: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee Targets Govt Over Women Quota Bill The bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the 352 needed for passage. Opposition parties had maintained they would support women’s reservation but only if it was delinked from the contentious delimitation exercise.Banerjee also pressed the government to move swiftly on implementing the 33 per cent quota for women, which had already been passed in 2023 and came into force earlier this month. “If the NDA government is serious, it should immediately bring forward the bill to notify one-third of the seats. Do it now,” he said, adding that the TMC had already ensured more than 41 per cent representation for women.The political tensions come amid heightened activity in West Bengal ahead of assembly elections in less than a week. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee led a roadshow in Durgapur, drawing large crowds and chants of support, as the party stepped up its campaign.At the same time, Income Tax Department raids at multiple locations linked to TMC leaders, including MLA Debashis Kumar, have triggered a fresh political row. The party has accused the Centre of using central agencies to “harass and intimidate” it ahead of polling, while officials maintain the searches are part of a broader probe into unaccounted money flows.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Day For Centre’: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Blasts Delimitation ‘Conspiracy’ By Modi GovtIndia Reviews Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request As Dhaka Pushes For TrialAllahabad High Court Directs FIR Against Rahul Gandhi, Revives Dual Citizenship Controversy‘I Saved Millions Of Lives’: ‘Peacemaker’ Donald Trump’s Big India-Pakistan Ceasefire Claim ReturnsTrump Reverses Russian Oil Sanctions Waiver Decision In 48 Hours, India Gets Fresh Buying WindowUkraine Envoy Rustem Umerov Meets Jaishankar, Ajit Doval In Delhi To Discuss Peace RoadmapModi Govt’s Women Quota Bill Crashes In Lok Sabha, Fails 2/3 Majority TestSad Day For Women’: Priyanka Chaturvedi Breaks With INDIA Bloc In Lok Sabha RowNo Nari Shakti! Women’s Bill Fails Lok Sabha Test, Protest Erupt | ‘Women Won’t Forgive’Trump’s Expected Pakistan Visit May Include Kashmir Talks, Report Fuels Speculation123PhotostoriesWhy traditional Indian homes were naturally cooler and what modern designs can learn from them7 traditional Indian summer drinks people drank before refrigeratorsIndia’s NCD crisis is deepening and lifestyle management is the missing link5 jewellery pieces to buy on Akshaya Tritiya 2026Do you really need 3 meals a day? Expert says it depends on your body and lifestyle5 hard truths no one tells you about marriageWhich are the 10 most powerful cities in the world?8 desi-American food mashups that sound strange but taste incredibleFrom single motherhood to her separation from late ex-husband Piyush due to his alcohol addiction, Shubhangi Atre opens up about her life and career6 pani puri water recipes to make the ultimate street-style golgappa at home123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayAnti-Islam influencerNetanyahuSue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

Abhishek Banerjee NEW DELHI: TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the NDA government after the delimitation bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha, saying the Centre is “clearly on borrowed time.”Banerjee, widely seen as second in command in the TMC, said the outcome had exposed the BJP’s “discomfort… for all to see”. In a post on X, he argued that the opposition INDIA bloc rejected the proposal over concerns about fairness, particularly the plan to base delimitation on the 2011 Census while expanding the House to over 800 seats. “The illusion of control is beginning to crumble in plain sight,” he said, in a direct swipe at the Centre. Watch ‘PM Modi Doing Nautanki’: TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee Targets Govt Over Women Quota Bill The bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the 352 needed for passage. Opposition parties had maintained they would support women’s reservation but only if it was delinked from the contentious delimitation exercise.Banerjee also pressed the government to move swiftly on implementing the 33 per cent quota for women, which had already been passed in 2023 and came into force earlier this month. “If the NDA government is serious, it should immediately bring forward the bill to notify one-third of the seats. Do it now,” he said, adding that the TMC had already ensured more than 41 per cent representation for women.The political tensions come amid heightened activity in West Bengal ahead of assembly elections in less than a week. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee led a roadshow in Durgapur, drawing large crowds and chants of support, as the party stepped up its campaign.At the same time, Income Tax Department raids at multiple locations linked to TMC leaders, including MLA Debashis Kumar, have triggered a fresh political row. The party has accused the Centre of using central agencies to “harass and intimidate” it ahead of polling, while officials maintain the searches are part of a broader probe into unaccounted money flows.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Black Day For Centre’: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Blasts Delimitation ‘Conspiracy’ By Modi GovtIndia Reviews Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Extradition Request As Dhaka Pushes For TrialAllahabad High Court Directs FIR Against Rahul Gandhi, Revives Dual Citizenship Controversy‘I Saved Millions Of Lives’: ‘Peacemaker’ Donald Trump’s Big India-Pakistan Ceasefire Claim ReturnsTrump Reverses Russian Oil Sanctions Waiver Decision In 48 Hours, India Gets Fresh Buying WindowUkraine Envoy Rustem Umerov Meets Jaishankar, Ajit Doval In Delhi To Discuss Peace RoadmapModi Govt’s Women Quota Bill Crashes In Lok Sabha, Fails 2/3 Majority TestSad Day For Women’: Priyanka Chaturvedi Breaks With INDIA Bloc In Lok Sabha RowNo Nari Shakti! Women’s Bill Fails Lok Sabha Test, Protest Erupt | ‘Women Won’t Forgive’Trump’s Expected Pakistan Visit May Include Kashmir Talks, Report Fuels Speculation123PhotostoriesWhy traditional Indian homes were naturally cooler and what modern designs can learn from them7 traditional Indian summer drinks people drank before refrigeratorsIndia’s NCD crisis is deepening and lifestyle management is the missing link5 jewellery pieces to buy on Akshaya Tritiya 2026Do you really need 3 meals a day? Expert says it depends on your body and lifestyle5 hard truths no one tells you about marriageWhich are the 10 most powerful cities in the world?8 desi-American food mashups that sound strange but taste incredibleFrom single motherhood to her separation from late ex-husband Piyush due to his alcohol addiction, Shubhangi Atre opens up about her life and career6 pani puri water recipes to make the ultimate street-style golgappa at home123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingIPL Orange Cap 2026VijayAnti-Islam influencerNetanyahuSue BirdIce SpicePahalgam Pony Wallah StoryWomen Quota BillE Coli Smuggling CaseErika Kirk Event

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