Women’s quota Bill fallout: Kharge calls Opposition meet, Rahul to skip; NDA readies street protests

In the immediate aftermath of the women’s reservation Bill failing in the Lok Sabha, leaders of Opposition parties are set to meet on Saturday morning at Congress president and Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge’s chamber inside the Parliament complex.

The meeting, scheduled for 10 am, comes amid heightened political tensions following the Bill’s failure in the Lok Sabha, with both the INDIA bloc and the NDA stepping up their responses.

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Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will not be present, as he is travelling to Tamil Nadu to take part in election campaigning.

Bill defeat triggers sharp political confrontation

The gathering follows Friday’s defeat of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which sought to introduce 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament. Despite an extensive debate in the House, the proposed legislation failed to secure the constitutionally required two-thirds majority.

The Bill received 278 votes in favour and 211 against, falling short of the threshold needed for passage.

The outcome has intensified the political stand-off between the NDA and the INDIA bloc. The ruling alliance has accused Opposition parties of blocking what it describes as a landmark reform aimed at boosting women’s representation in legislatures.

Opposition parties, however, have raised concerns over linking the reservation proposal to the expansion of Parliament based on the 2011 Census and a future delimitation exercise.

NDA gears up for nationwide protests

A day before the Opposition’s meeting, leaders of the ruling NDA also held discussions in Parliament after the Bill’s defeat. According to sources, it was decided that alliance partners would take the issue to the public, accusing the Opposition of resisting women’s empowerment.

The NDA is now set to launch a nationwide protest campaign on Saturday. Demonstrations are expected at district headquarters across the country, led by the BJP Mahila Morcha.

Party leaders said the campaign will aim to highlight what they call an “anti-women agenda” of the Opposition, while also shaping public opinion ahead of upcoming elections, particularly in West Bengal and Tamil Nadu.