Agartala, April 23
In a sharp critique of the political opposition, Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha stated that the delay in implementing the Women Reservation Bill Amendment is a direct result of the "self-centered politics" practiced by the INDI alliance. Speaking at a press conference held at the BJP state headquarters in Agartala, the Chief Minister described the bill as a "Mahayagya" for India’s Nari Shakti (women power), destined to transform the nation's destiny.
The opposition has once again insulted the women of this nation. To protect their own political ground, they have deprived the entire country of a revolutionary change, said Dr. Saha.
The Revolutionary Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam
The primary focus of the press meet was the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, formally known as the Women's Reservation Bill 2023. This historic legislation aims to ensure 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies. According to Dr. Saha, this is not merely a legal shift but a bold step toward eliminating gender disparity in India's political landscape, championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Initially introduced as the 128th Amendment Bill, it received Presidential assent to become the 106th Constitutional Amendment Act. While the demand for such a quota has spanned three decades—dating back to the efforts of former PMs H.D. Deve Gowda and Atal Bihari Vajpayee—it was only under the current leadership that the bill saw an overwhelming majority in both houses of Parliament in September 2023.
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Why the 131st Amendment Was Essential
The Chief Minister explained that the original law required a fresh census and delimitation before implementation. Recognizing the urgency, the government introduced the 131st Amendment Bill on April 17, 2026, to fast-track the process and ensure women’s representation by the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
The plan involves expanding the total Lok Sabha seats from 543 to over 816, ensuring that women secure their one-third share without reducing the current number of seats for men. "The vision is to empower women through a rotational seat system, allowing representation from every constituency," Dr. Saha added. However, despite the government's sincere efforts, the opposition blocked the two-thirds majority required for this constitutional amendment.
A Vision for Future Leadership
The proposed amendment also includes a 33% quota within SC and ST reserved seats and extends to the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Although the law currently has a 15-year tenure, Parliament holds the authority to extend it further. The Chief Minister emphasized that while the law applies to direct elections, it represents a fundamental shift toward women-led development in India.
The press conference was attended by Commerce and Industry Minister Santana Chakma, MLAs Meena Rani Sarkar and Antara Deb Sarkar, along with Media In-charge Sunit Sarkar, all echoing the call for national unity in empowering India's women.
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