Modi calls for swift implementation of women’s reservation, targets Opposition at ‘Varanasi Sammelan’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a strong pitch for the implementation of women’s reservation in legislatures while launching a sharp political attack on opposition parties, addressing a large gathering at a Mahila Sammelan in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi.

Speaking at the ‘Jan-Aakrosh Mahila Sammelan’ held at the BLW Ground, Modi underscored his government’s commitment to enhancing women’s role in policymaking and described “Nari Shakti” as the cornerstone of India’s development journey.

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“Our government is committed to ensuring women’s participation in policymaking in the country. When I talk about a developed India, its strongest pillar is the women power of India,” he said.

Framing the women’s reservation issue as a “major national goal,” the Prime Minister sought public support for its implementation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. “As the MP from Kashi and as the Prime Minister of the country, I seek your blessings to achieve a major national goal. And that goal is to implement reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies,” Modi said.

He alleged that recent efforts to pass the measure in Parliament had been thwarted by opposition parties. “A few days ago, due to parties like the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, our effort could not succeed in Parliament. But I assure all of you, sisters, once again that I will leave no stone unturned to ensure that your right to reservation is implemented,” he added.

Escalating his criticism, Modi targeted parties including the Samajwadi Party, Congress, Trinamool Congress, and DMK, accusing them of opposing women’s empowerment for political reasons.

“In reality, all these dynastic and appeasement-driven parties are afraid of women power. These family-run parties do not want the daughters of the country—who are proving their leadership from college campuses to panchayats and local bodies—to enter the assemblies and Parliament,” he said.

He further claimed that women voters were increasingly rejecting such parties. “You are seeing in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu that sisters have cast record votes. The parties opposing women’s reservation have no idea that this vote by women was meant to punish these anti-women parties,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister also reiterated that his government has placed women’s welfare at the centre of its policies. “Along with providing a sense of safety and security, we have also emphasised increasing the economic participation of our sisters,” he said.

The event itself reflected this emphasis, with all arrangements—from anchoring to security—handled by women, showcasing a model of women-led organisation.

Modi’s visit to Varanasi — his 54th since becoming Prime Minister and his first in 2026 — combined political messaging with a focus on development. Over the course of the two-day visit, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 163 projects worth over Rs 6,332 crore, covering sectors such as roads, healthcare and urban development. He also flagged off two Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Banaras to Pune and Ayodhya to Mumbai, and announced benefits for local milk producers.

The visit is seen as part of a broader push to accelerate development in the Purvanchal region while simultaneously reinforcing the Bharatiya Janata Party’s outreach to women voters ahead of upcoming electoral contests.

The event was attended by several senior BJP leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other state and national party functionaries.