New Delhi:Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Centre after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill - linked to fast-trackingwomen’s reservation- failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, calling it a “victory for democracy” and accusing the government of attempting to alter India’s federal structure.

Addressing a press conference,Priyanka Gandhisaid, "What happened yesterday was a huge victory for democracy. The government's conspiracy to alter the federal structure and weaken democracy was defeated and stopped. This was a victory for the Constitution, a victory for the country, and a victory for the unity of the opposition, and it was clearly visible on the faces of the ruling party leaders..."

The bill, which sought to delink women’s reservation from the requirement of a fresh Census and delimitation exercise, failed to secure the mandatory two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha. While it received majority support, it fell short of the constitutional threshold, effectively stalling the government’s attempt to fast-track the implementation of the Women’s Reservation framework.

The Congress leader alleged that the government’s intent went beyond women’s empowerment. "I think it's a conspiracy that somehow they need to stay in power... So, to achieve this, they're planning how to permanently stay in power using women..." she said, adding that the ruling dispensation was attempting to use the issue politically.

She further claimed, "They thought that if it was passed, they'd win. If it's not passed, they'll become the saviours of women by branding other parties as anti-women... We know that becoming a savior for women isn't easy..."

The Congress leader also reiterated the Opposition’s demand to implement the earlier women’s reservation framework passed in 2023, instead of introducing changes through the new amendment. "Not possible for oppn to support delimitation plan in garb of women's reservation, govt should implement 2023 law if it's sincere," she said.

The 2023 law, widely referred to as the Nari Shakti Vandan framework, ties the implementation of 33% reservation for women in legislatures to the completion of a fresh Census and a subsequent delimitation exercise. The Opposition has consistently raised concerns that altering this sequence could impact the federal balance and representation of states.

Calling the outcome in Parliament a sign of Opposition unity, Priyanka Gandhi said, "What happened in Lok Sabha yesterday is a big victory for democracy, opposition unity."

Her remarks come amid an escalating political battle over delimitation and women’s reservation, with both sides accusing each other of politicising the issue. While the government maintains that its proposal was aimed at expediting women’s representation, the Opposition argues that any such move must follow due constitutional process and consensus.

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