Updated on: Apr 18, 2026 7:04:11 PM IST
PM Modi address LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in the Lok Sabha before voting on the women’s reservation bill in the Lok Sabha during the Special session of Parliament, in New Delhi, Friday, April 17, 2026. Constitution Amendment Bill to tweak women quota law defeated in Lok Sabha after division of votes.
PM Modi address LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation tonight at 8.30 PM, a day after a bill to implement women’s reservation in legislatures was defeated in the Lok Sabha. “The Prime Minister will address the nation at 8.30 PM (April 18, Saturday),” an official said. Modi is expected to delve into the issue of implementing the women’s quota and the developments in Parliament, where opposition parties on Friday voted against the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill.
Under the Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased up to 816 from the current 543 to “operationalise” the women’s reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. Seats were also to be increased in state and UT assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
A two-thirds majority was required to pass the crucial bill, but the ruling BJP-led alliance could not muster the numbers.
During the voting on the bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday night, 298 members voted in its support, while 230 MPs voted against it.
Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes for a two-thirds majority.
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Under the Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased up to 816 from the current 543 to “operationalise” the women’s reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. Seats were also to be increased in state and UT assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
A two-thirds majority was required to pass the crucial bill, but the ruling BJP-led alliance could not muster the numbers.
During the voting on the bill in the Lok Sabha on Friday night, 298 members voted in its support, while 230 MPs voted against it.
Out of 528 members who voted, the bill required 352 votes for a two-thirds majority.
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Apr 18, 2026 7:04:10 PM IST
PM Modi address LIVE: Smriti Irani accuses Congress of crushing women’s aspirations
Senior BJP leaders on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of “betraying” women and celebrating the defeat of their political aspirations after a Constitution Amendment Bill to implement reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 and increase the strength of the Lok Sabha was defeated in the Lower House.
Addressing a press conference, former Union minister Smriti Irani accused the Congress and its allies of rejoicing over the denial of 33 per cent reservation to women in legislatures, despite decades of demand by women leaders across parties.
Apr 18, 2026 6:58:48 PM IST
PM Modi address LIVE: The BJP’s allegation
The BJP and its allies are continuing their street protest against the Congress and the INDIA bloc alleging that the alliance was anti-women and did not want to see the women of the country go forward.
Apr 18, 2026 6:57:09 PM IST
PM Modi address LIVE: Centre’s conspiracy to change federal structure defeated, Priyanka Gandhi says on women’s quota row
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday accused the Centre of conspiring to change the federal structure of the country in the garb of women’s reservation and asserted that the defeat of the bill to amend the women’s quota law in the Lok Sabha was a victory of democracy and opposition unity.
Addressing a press conference here, the Congress general secretary underlined that the opposition was not against reservation for women and would support the Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, if the government sought to implement it on the current strength of the Lok Sabha.
The sole aim of the government behind bringing the Constitution amendment bill was to remain in power permanently, Priyanka Gandhi charged, adding that the people of the country could see through its intentions.
Apr 18, 2026 6:54:32 PM IST
PM Modi address LIVE: Why did the amendment to women’s quota bill fail?
Under the Bill, Lok Sabha seats were to be increased up to 816 from the current 543 to “operationalise” the women’s reservation law before the 2029 parliamentary polls, following a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census. Seats were also to be increased in state and UT assemblies to accommodate 33 per cent reservation for women.
A two-thirds majority was required for the passage of the crucial bill but the ruling BJP-led alliance could not muster the numbers.
Apr 18, 2026 6:37:53 PM IST
PM Modi address LIVE: What is the agenda of PM Modi’s address?
PM Modi address LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation later tonight. While officials didn’t elaborate on the agenda of the prime minister’s speech, it is expected that he would speak on the Constitution Amendment Bill, which failed to get special majority on Friday.
Apr 18, 2026 6:33:45 PM IST
PM Modi address LIVE: PM Modi to address nation at 8:30 pm
PM Modi address LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation tonight at 8.30 pm, a day after the women’s quota bill failed to get special majority in the Lok Sabha. “The Prime Minister will address the nation at 8.30 PM (April 18, Saturday),” an official said.
PM Modi is expected to delve into the issue of implementation of women’s quota and the happenings in Parliament, where the Constitution Amendment Bill, part of the delimitation package failed to clear the house.
