Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday asserted that the defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, should not be interpreted as a setback for the Centre or the BJP, but rather as a “huge blow” inflicted on the nation by Congress and other Opposition parties

He made the remarks a day after the Bill was defeated in the Lok Sabha, where it failed to secure the two-thirds majority needed for 33 pc women’s reservation, sparking a political clash between the NDA and the INDIA bloc

The Bill, which also proposed an increase in the strength of the House, fell short despite an extensive day-long debate. It garnered 278 votes in favour and 211 against, missing the threshold needed for passage

Expressing disappointment over the outcome, Rijiju said, “The way Congress did not allow it to be passed with the two-thirds majority, we are all saddened. We are not sad for the government or our party, but because this is a loss for the country’s women. The important step of giving power to women to make decisions in the Lok Sabha and Assemblies has failed, and that is why we are saddened”

He further added, “This is not a failure of our government or our party, but a huge blow to the country by the Congress and other Opposition parties. They will now have to bear the wrath of women. Congress has now been stained with the dark stigma of being anti-women”

Rijiju added that the Opposition avoids attending meetings despite repeated invitations, choosing to write letters instead, and then alleges that no discussions are being held

Reiterating his criticism, Rijiju said, “This anti-women mindset of the Congress party has been exposed before the country. It is a matter of regret. The Congress will have to face the anger of women. But our efforts will continue. We will keep trying.”