Parliament special sitting LIVE: Opposition hails Constitution Amendment Bill's defeat in Lok Sabha

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Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had accused the government of “hiding behind women” to alter the country’s electoral map.

Updated - April 18, 2026 08:58 am IST

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and others leave after voting on the Constitution Amendment Bill during the Special session of Parliament, in New Delhi, on Friday, April 17, 2026. | Photo Credit: PTI

A united Opposition on Friday (April 17, 2026) defeated the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which sought to redistribute Lok Sabha seats on the basis of the 2011 Census to expedite the implementation of women’s reservation.

A total of 298 members voted in favour of the Bill and 230 against it, with the House strength at the time of voting being 528. It failed to meet the two-thirds majority mark of 352 required for a Constitution Amendment Bill to pass. Following the defeat, the government withdrew two allied legislations — the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026 — which were linked to the constitutional amendment.

Also read: Principle of one person, one vote, one value violated, says Shah in Lok Sabha

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday (April 17, 2026) said a united Opposition defeated the attempt to “harm this country’s democracy, Constitution and federalism”. “We express heartfelt thanks to all the leaders of the opposition parties,” Mr. Kharge said in a post on X.

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April 18, 2026 08:58
Principle of one person, one vote, one value violated, says Shah in Lok Sabha
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday (April 17, 2026) said that the principle of “one person, one vote, one value” was being violated, pointing out that while some Members of Parliament represent 48 lakh people, the others represent barely 6 lakh.
Mr. Shah said the “north-south divide” narrative being engineered was detrimental to the country, and that the people of Lakshadweep had as much right on the Parliament as those from Bihar or Uttar Pradesh.
Principle of one person, one vote, one value violated, says Shah in Lok Sabha
Amit Shah criticizes the violation of "one person, one vote" principle and defends government actions against the north-south divide narrative.
April 18, 2026 08:57
Constitution Amendment Bill, part of delimitation package, defeated
A united Opposition on Friday (April 17, 2026) defeated the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which sought to redistribute Lok Sabha seats on the basis of the 2011 Census to expedite the implementation of women’s reservation.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah accused the Opposition of playing “ruthless politics” and warned that it would face the “wrath of women” voters. A total of 298 members voted in favour of the Bill and 230 against it, with the House strength at the time of voting being 528. It failed to meet the two-thirds majority mark of 352 required for a Constitution Amendment Bill to pass. Following the defeat, the government withdrew two allied legislations — the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, and the Delimitation Bill, 2026 — which were linked to the constitutional amendment.
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