Women's reservation bill push: BJP issues whip for 3-day Parliament special session

New Delhi,UPDATED: Apr 12, 2026 11:16 IST

The government has called a special three-day session of Parliament from April 16 to 18, during which it is set to introduce a Constitutional Amendment Bill aimed at implementing the women’s reservation law ahead of the 2029 elections.

Ahead of the session, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a three-line whip to its Members of Parliament in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, directing them to remain present throughout the proceedings. MPs have been instructed to strictly adhere to the whip, with no leave permitted during the three days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a letter to floor leaders of both Houses, stressed the need to implement the women’s reservation law, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, in its “true spirit.” He said it was imperative that the 2029 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections be conducted with the quota for women in place, urging all parties to come together to pass the required amendments.

The law, passed in 2023, provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. It also proposes increasing the total number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, with 273 reserved for women. However, under the current provisions, implementation is tied to the completion of delimitation based on the 2027 Census, which could delay enforcement until 2034. The proposed amendments aim to advance its rollout to 2029.

The move has drawn criticism from the opposition. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has written to the Prime Minister, alleging that the government is rushing the process for “political mileage” amid ongoing state elections. He reiterated the demand for an all-party meeting after April 29 to discuss the delimitation exercise linked to the amendments.

Kharge pointed out that while the bill was passed unanimously in 2023, the government did not implement it immediately despite claiming broad consensus. He also said that without clarity on delimitation and other key aspects, meaningful discussion on the amendments would not be possible.

He further alleged that the government’s claim of consulting political parties was “against the truth,” noting that opposition parties have consistently demanded a wider consultation after the ongoing elections conclude. Kharge emphasised that such constitutional changes would impact both the Centre and the states and must involve all stakeholders.

The Congress has also raised concerns over the timing of the special session during active election cycles in several states, including West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. The party believes the issue requires broader deliberation rather than expedited passage.

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