As Nation Waits For PM Modi’s Address, Speculation Mounts On Subject: What Will He Talk About?

Last Updated:April 18, 2026, 16:43 IST

PM Modi will address the nation after the Womens Reservation Bill failed in Lok Sabha. A look at what issues he might speak on.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation at 8:30 pm a day after Women’s Reservation Bill failed to pass the Lok Sabha test. However, there is no clarity yet on what issues will he speak about.

Issues that might be taken up:

Women Reservation Bill and Delimitation Bill

The Women Reservation Bill was aimed to introduce reservation for women in legislatures from 2029 and also increase the number of seats in the Lok Sabha. However, it did not secure the required support.

Check PM Modi Speech LIVE:

Out of 528 members who voted, 298 supported the Bill while 230 opposed it. The proposal needed 352 votes to reach the two-thirds majority required for a Constitutional amendment.

After the Bill failed to get enough votes, the government also requested Speaker Om Birla not to proceed with two other proposed laws – Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

West Asia concerns

LPG supplies to India and the wider world have been disrupted due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz since February 28, when US-Israeli strikes on Iran escalated the ongoing conflict. Iran has since retaliated by attacking military bases housing US troops and energy sites across West Asia.

RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra, during the press briefing on the policy rate, cautioned that the West Asia turmoil during the Iran-US conflict might have had an impact on the Indian economy.

The Government has, however, been proactive in ensuring supply of inputs across critical sectors to minimise the impact of supply chain disruptions.

A senior government official told Moneycontrol that restoration of global liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply chains could take three to four years, as it remains unclear whether production has been halted temporarily or if there has been permanent damage.

Indians Stuck In Russia

Recently, the Supreme Court asked the Centre to respond to a habeas corpus petition seeking the safe return of 26 Indian nationals who are allegedly stuck in Russia and being forced to fight in the war against Ukraine.

This came days after the body of Sachin Khajuria, 23-year-old from Jammu, who died in the Russia-Ukraine war, reached his native village, Pahariwala.

The petitioners told the SC on Friday that the 26 nationals were on visit to Russia on tourist, student or job visas. However, on their arrival their passports and identity documents were allegedly confiscated, their movement restricted, and they were subjected to coercion and threats, eventually leading to their forced enlistment into military structures associated with the Russian armed forces, LiveLaw reported.

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