Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Friday sharply criticised the Centre after the women’s quota amendment bill failed to pass in the Lok Sabha, alleging it was part of a “conspiracy to rule forever.”

Addressing a press conference, she claimed the government had attempted to use the legislation for political advantage rather than genuine women’s empowerment. According to her, the strategy was designed in a way that the ruling side would benefit regardless of the outcome.

She argued that if the bill had been passed, the government would have claimed credit, and if it failed, it would portray opposition parties as being against women’s rights.

Calling the development a “victory for democracy,” she said the failure of the constitutional amendment stopped what she described as an attempt to weaken democratic institutions and alter the federal structure.

The bill required a two-thirds majority to pass but fell short in the Lok Sabha, with 298 members voting in favour and 230 against.

The proposed amendment was linked to broader changes, including delimitation of constituencies, which became a key point of contention between the government and opposition parties. Critics argued that tying women’s reservation to delimitation raised concerns about political advantage and representation balance.

Priyanka Gandhi also described the day as a setback for the ruling alliance, saying it reflected resistance from opposition parties and highlighted concerns over the bill’s structure and intent.

Despite opposing the amendment in its current form, she reiterated support for women’s reservation and called for its implementation without conditions that could delay or complicate the process.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sharply criticised opposition parties after the women’s reservation bill failed to pass the parliamentary test, saying they “made a mistake” and would face consequences for their stand.

Reacting to the development, the Prime Minister said the opposition had acted against the interests of women and that their position would not be forgotten. He indicated that the issue would be taken to people across the country, suggesting it would be raised widely in public outreach.

The proposed legislation aimed to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies. However, it failed to secure the required majority needed for passage, leading to a political confrontation between the government and opposition.

The government has maintained that the bill represents a significant step toward women’s empowerment and accused opposition parties of blocking a key reform. According to the Prime Minister, the opposition’s stance has disappointed women and reflects a missed opportunity to advance their representation in legislatures.

On the other hand, opposition parties have continued to raise concerns over the structure and implementation of the bill. They have argued that certain aspects of the proposal require further consideration, which led them to oppose it during the vote.

The failure of the bill has intensified political tensions, with both sides presenting sharply different narratives. While the government has framed it as a setback caused by opposition resistance, opposition leaders have defended their position, saying their objections were based on substantive concerns.

The issue is now expected to remain a key political talking point, as the government signals its intention to highlight the opposition’s role in the bill’s failure across the country.

A senior Ukrainian official held high-level meetings with India’s top leadership in New Delhi, focusing on efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Rustem Umerov, a top aide to Volodymyr Zelensky, met separately with Ajit Doval and S. Jaishankar during his visit.

In his meeting with Ajit Doval, discussions focused on the evolving situation along the frontline in Ukraine, along with broader security developments related to the conflict.

Talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar covered the ongoing war as well as bilateral ties between India and Ukraine. Both sides exchanged views on diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.

India reiterated its consistent position that the crisis should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, emphasising the need for continued engagement between all parties.

Umerov noted that the discussions also touched on the progress of negotiations and the prospects for achieving a “just, lasting and sustainable peace” in Ukraine. He described the interactions as constructive and highlighted ongoing cooperation between the two countries following earlier high-level engagements.