Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the Centre after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, alleging that the government attempted to use the women’s reservation issue as a political strategy to retain power.

Addressing the media after the bill’s defeat, Priyanka Gandhi said the people of the country have understood the government’s intentions and will not be misled by what she described as political narratives built around women’s empowerment.

‘People are suffering and can see the truth’

Priyanka Gandhi said citizens are facing growing hardships and are now able to see through the government’s political messaging.

According to her, people—especially women—would not be convinced by attempts to portray the bill’s failure as an anti-women move by the opposition.

She also praised the opposition alliance for maintaining unity during the debate and voting in Parliament, saying the united stand had prevented what she called a politically motivated constitutional change.

Questions government’s intentions behind the bill

Priyanka Gandhi claimed that statements made by senior ministers during the debate revealed the government’s true intentions behind the legislation.

“I was listening to the speeches of the Home Minister and the Prime Minister... That made their intent very clear,” she said, alleging that the bill was pushed without adequate time for scrutiny.

She pointed out that the special Parliament session was called suddenly and the draft bill was shared just a day before discussion, leaving little room for lawmakers to review the details.

Delimitation linked to political advantage: Congress

The Congress leader alleged that the proposed constitutional amendment linked women’s reservation with delimitation based on the 2011 Census in an attempt to redraw constituencies for political advantage.

“Through delimitation based on the 2011 Census and using women's reservation, they aimed to redraw constituencies to their advantage,” she said.

She further claimed that if the bill had passed, the government would have moved ahead with its political plan, and if it failed, it would blame the opposition and project itself as the protector of women’s rights.

Bill failed to get required majority

The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill was introduced during the three-day special Parliament session along with the Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The bill required a two-thirds majority of 352 votes in the Lok Sabha but secured only 298 votes, while 230 MPs voted against it.

Its defeat has triggered a fierce political battle, with the ruling alliance blaming the opposition for blocking women’s reservation, while the opposition accuses the government of trying to gain political mileage.

Opposition says women need action, not slogans

Priyanka Gandhi said that real commitment to women’s empowerment requires concrete action rather than political symbolism.

She asserted that women would not be swayed by rhetoric and that true support for women’s rights must be reflected through meaningful policy implementation.