Contested Grounds: Women's Reservation Bill Faces Defeat in Lok Sabha

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi expressed disappointment over the defeat of the Women Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha. Although the Bill aimed to increase Lok Sabha seats to accommodate women's representation, it failed to secure the necessary two-thirds majority. Uddhav Thackeray calls for immediate implementation of the 2023 Act.

In a notable divergence from her party's stance, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi voiced her regret over the rejection of the Women Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha. The bill, designed to increase female representation in Parliament by 2029, was narrowly defeated, with 230 MPs voting against it while 298 supported it.

The bill proposed a constitutional amendment to raise the number of Lok Sabha seats to a maximum of 850, but it fell short of the required two-thirds majority among the 528 voting members. Expressing her disappointment, Chaturvedi described the day as 'sad' for Indian women aspiring for parliamentary roles.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray implored the government to expedite the implementation of the 2023 Act, which provides for 33% reservation for women in parliamentary and state assemblies, underscoring the issue as critical for the nation's future rather than mere party politics.

(With inputs from agencies.)