Congress MP and General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that they were attempting to undermine India’s federal framework. She described the defeat of the delimitation-linked legislation in the Lok Sabha as a significant triumph for democracy and the Constitution.
Speaking at a press conference, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “What happened yesterday was a big win for democracy. The conspiracy to change the federal structure was defeated. It was a victory for the Constitution, Opposition unity, and the country.”
On the issue of women’s representation, the Congress leader urged the government to implement the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, based on the present strength of the Lok Sabha.
“If you are serious about women’s reservation, implement the 2023 law on the existing strength of the Lok Sabha, we will fully support it,” she said.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra further alleged that the government’s decision to convene an urgent session for the bill was politically motivated, aimed at ensuring the BJP’s continuation in power.
Her remarks followed the setback suffered by the Centre after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, failed to secure passage in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The proposed amendment sought to link the 33 per cent reservation for women to the post-delimitation expansion of the House from 543 to 816 members. The bill garnered 298 votes in support and 230 against, falling short of the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment.
“The whole conspiracy was to stay in power. They thought that if delimitation wasn’t done now, it would not be done before 2029 to stay in power. This was not really about women’s reservation, that is clear. The 2023 bill clearly provided reservations for women within existing seats,” she said.
She also claimed that the Centre was facing mounting pressure and suggested this was reflected in its recent decisions.
“The government’s situation has clearly changed. It appears to be under significant international pressure, reflected in decisions no Indian Prime Minister would ordinarily accept without such pressure,” she said.
Questioning the government’s intent, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra argued that the BJP had positioned itself to benefit regardless of the bill’s outcome — by claiming credit if it passed or blaming the Opposition if it failed.
“It is not easy to become the messiah of women. We saw what happened in Hathras and with our Olympic medallists. They can create as much drama as they want, but people now see that they (the BJP) do not stand by their words. They cannot be trusted,” she said.
Referring to remarks made by Home Minister Amit Shah in the Lok Sabha, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the BJP of exposing its political mindset.
“When Home Minister Amit Shah was speaking in the Lok Sabha Friday, he said the Congress will not be able to sit on the treasury benches for years, which shows their mindset.”
She attributed the bill’s defeat to growing coordination among Opposition parties, calling it a decisive moment.
“I am very happy; you have seen what happens when the Opposition unites. We will fight harder and together, we are putting aside our differences,” she said.
Meanwhile, the BJP has accused the Congress and other Opposition parties of having “betrayed the women of the nation” by voting against the bill. Home Minister Amit Shah questioned their commitment to women’s reservation, arguing that Opposition support had come with conditions rather than unequivocal backing.
Shah has also defended delimitation as essential for equitable representation, invoking the principle of “one person, one vote, one value”, and accused the Opposition of politicising the issue
