May 18, 2026
IPL 2026: ‘Sanju Samson will captain CSK’ – Ashwin makes bold claim on leadership shift

IPL 2026: ‘Sanju Samson will captain CSK’ – Ashwin makes bold claim on leadership shift

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Chennai Super Kings’ Sanju Samson (PTI Photo) Veteran India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Sanju Samson as a potential future captain of Chennai Super Kings, while making it clear that the wicketkeeper-batter must build his own legacy rather than inherit someone else’s. Reflecting on CSK’s leadership evolution, Ashwin pointed out that the transition has been…

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Yuzvendra Chahal files defamation case against Taniya Chatterjee over viral ‘Cute’ DM clip – Report

Yuzvendra Chahal files defamation case against Taniya Chatterjee over viral ‘Cute’ DM clip – Report

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

A controversy has erupted online, involving cricketer Yuzvendra Chahal and actress Taniya Chatterjee, which has now escalated to legal proceedings. Chatterjee’s revelation of receiving a private message from Chahal on Instagram triggered a massive wave of reactions, leading to intense scrutiny and trolling. Read on to know more in detail. A social media storm involving…

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As Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei met with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Trump says: Who …

As Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei met with White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Trump says: Who …

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei walked into the White House this week for a high-level meeting on artificial intelligence, at a time when tensions between his company and the US government had only recently begun to ease. The discussion, described by officials as “productive and constructive,” focused on how the government and AI companies can work…

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Why over 643,000 students are still waiting for IDR approval and loan forgiveness in the US

Why over 643,000 students are still waiting for IDR approval and loan forgiveness in the US

Vamsikrishna04 mins mins

How delays in IDR and PSLF approvals are impacting young professionals’ financial stability More than 643,000 federal student loan borrowers in the United States are currently caught in a growing administrative backlog, awaiting either approval for more affordable repayment plans or long-promised loan forgiveness. The figures, disclosed in a recent court filing and first reported…

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‘Aashiqui’ star Rahul Roy spotted in Mumbai looking strikingly different, fans react to the actor’s new long-hair avatar – Watch

‘Aashiqui’ star Rahul Roy spotted in Mumbai looking strikingly different, fans react to the actor’s new long-hair avatar – Watch

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

In a heartwarming sight for fans, Rahul Roy, the legendary star of ‘Aashiqui’, returned to the spotlight with a rare appearance in Mumbai. Seen strolling through Versova, his relaxed outfit and timeless charisma reminded everyone of the magic he brought to the screen. The beloved 1990 film, ‘Aashiqui’, continues to enchant music lovers, its songs…

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US President Trump and India’s then-US envoy Taranjit Singh Sandhu (File photo) NEW DELHI: Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s former ambassador to the United States, on Saturday expressed “great satisfaction and happiness” after US President Donald Trump congratulated him on his appointment as Delhi’s lieutenant governor and lauded his “deep commitment” to strengthening bilateral ties.Also Read | ‘Seasoned diplomat’: Trump congratulates former envoy to US Taranjit Sandhu on Delhi LG appointmentSandhu was appointed Delhi’s lieutenant governor in March. He served as India’s envoy in Washington from February 2020 to March 2024. After retiring, he contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Amritsar constituency on the ruling BJP’s ticket, but lost.“The relationship between the United States and India is in the national interests of both countries. The prime minister’s (Narendra Modi) thinking is very clear—he has outlined it many times. I was simply doing my job. It is certainly a matter of satisfaction and happiness that President Trump, in his post, acknowledged that,” the former diplomat told reporters when asked about Trump’s Truth Social message.He added, “But I would also like to mention that President Biden has spoken about the good work as well. Under the prime minister’s guidance, we were able to transform the relationship into a partnership.”Trump was US president when Sandhu was appointed India’s ambassador to Washington, but he lost the November 2020 election to Joe Biden. The Republican returned to the White House after defeating then-Vice President Kamala Harris in November 2024, following Biden’s decision not to seek a second term.On Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social: “Congratulations to Taranjit Sandhu on becoming the new Lt Governor of Delhi! As a seasoned Diplomat and former Ambassador to the United States, he has always shown deep commitment to strengthening the U.S.-India relationship. Wishing him success in leading Delhi’s progress, and furthering global ties!”Sandhu was succeeded in Washington by Vinay Mohan Kwatra, the current envoy. In Delhi, he took over from Vinai Kumar Saxena, who was appointed lieutenant governor of Ladakh.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 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 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 link123Hot 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

US President Trump and India’s then-US envoy Taranjit Singh Sandhu (File photo) NEW DELHI: Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s former ambassador to the United States, on Saturday expressed “great satisfaction and happiness” after US President Donald Trump congratulated him on his appointment as Delhi’s lieutenant governor and lauded his “deep commitment” to strengthening bilateral ties.Also Read | ‘Seasoned diplomat’: Trump congratulates former envoy to US Taranjit Sandhu on Delhi LG appointmentSandhu was appointed Delhi’s lieutenant governor in March. He served as India’s envoy in Washington from February 2020 to March 2024. After retiring, he contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Amritsar constituency on the ruling BJP’s ticket, but lost.“The relationship between the United States and India is in the national interests of both countries. The prime minister’s (Narendra Modi) thinking is very clear—he has outlined it many times. I was simply doing my job. It is certainly a matter of satisfaction and happiness that President Trump, in his post, acknowledged that,” the former diplomat told reporters when asked about Trump’s Truth Social message.He added, “But I would also like to mention that President Biden has spoken about the good work as well. Under the prime minister’s guidance, we were able to transform the relationship into a partnership.”Trump was US president when Sandhu was appointed India’s ambassador to Washington, but he lost the November 2020 election to Joe Biden. The Republican returned to the White House after defeating then-Vice President Kamala Harris in November 2024, following Biden’s decision not to seek a second term.On Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social: “Congratulations to Taranjit Sandhu on becoming the new Lt Governor of Delhi! As a seasoned Diplomat and former Ambassador to the United States, he has always shown deep commitment to strengthening the U.S.-India relationship. Wishing him success in leading Delhi’s progress, and furthering global ties!”Sandhu was succeeded in Washington by Vinay Mohan Kwatra, the current envoy. In Delhi, he took over from Vinai Kumar Saxena, who was appointed lieutenant governor of Ladakh.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 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 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 link123Hot 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

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

US President Trump and India’s then-US envoy Taranjit Singh Sandhu (File photo) NEW DELHI: Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s former ambassador to the United States, on Saturday expressed “great satisfaction and happiness” after US President Donald Trump congratulated him on his appointment as Delhi’s lieutenant governor and lauded his “deep commitment” to strengthening bilateral ties.Also Read…

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Gujarat Public Service Commission releases 2026 class 1 and 2 exam schedule; download here

Gujarat Public Service Commission releases 2026 class 1 and 2 exam schedule; download here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

GPSC class 1 and class 2 examination timetable issued with call letter instructions for 2026 GPSC class 1 and class 2 examination timetable 2026: The Gujarat Public Service Commission has published its examination schedule for Class-1 and Class-2 preliminary and main written examinations covering 91 posts across multiple advertisements. Candidates who have applied through the…

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Avinash Tiwary says men DM him more than women for shirtless scenes: ‘All the gym bros said nice body, bro’

Avinash Tiwary says men DM him more than women for shirtless scenes: ‘All the gym bros said nice body, bro’

Vamsikrishna03 mins mins

Avinash Tiwary is all set to trade his brooding lover boy image for a muscular pehelwan look in the upcoming romantic comedy ‘Ginny Weds Sunny 2’. Ahead of the film’s theatrical release on April 24, 2026, the actor sat down for a candid chat with Hindustan Times, revealing some hilarious truths about his recent physical…

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Taurus, Weekly Horoscope, April 19 to April 25, 2026: Week brings recognition and respect

Taurus, Weekly Horoscope, April 19 to April 25, 2026: Week brings recognition and respect

Vamsikrishna07 mins mins

The week opens on a bright note. You’ll get honour and respect, and people seem to listen when you speak. That’s not luck, it’s your steady presence finally getting noticed. Business owners may receive orders easily from different sources, and even salaried folks can feel their social standing rise through one good conversation. Still, there’s…

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Pakistani-origin elderly couple found dead under suspicious circumstances | Jaipur News

Pakistani-origin elderly couple found dead under suspicious circumstances | Jaipur News

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

JAISALMER: Sensation spread in the Mohangarh police station area of Jaisalmer on Saturday morning after the bodies of an elderly Pakistani-origin displaced couple were found under suspicious circumstances in their home while they were asleep. Prima facie, both appear to have been strangled to death. Silver anklets worn by the woman are missing, raising suspicion…

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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! 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Vamsikrishna08 mins mins

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…

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BITSAT 2026 absentee slot hall ticket released for Slot 1: Direct link to download admit card here

BITSAT 2026 absentee slot hall ticket released for Slot 1: Direct link to download admit card here

Vamsikrishna02 mins mins

BITSAT 2026 absentee slot hall ticke BITSAT 2026: The Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani has released the BITSAT 2026 absentee slot hall ticket for Session 1. Candidates who registered for the absentee slot can now download their admit card from the official website which is admissions.bits-pilani.ac.in.To download the hall ticket, candidates need to…

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