Prime Minister Narendra Modi (file picture) | Photo Credit: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached out to floor leaders of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha for support, saying that its imperative to hold 2029 Lok Sabha and assembly elections with women reservation in place.

Ahead of the three-day special session of Parliament from April 16 to April 18, Modi wrote letters on Saturday to leaders seeking opposition’s help as he said for society to progress, women should have the opportunity to move forward, make decisions and lead.

It’s essential that women play a greater, active role if India has to realise its vision of becoming a developed nation.

Extensive deliberations

“After extensive deliberations, we have reached the conclusion that the time has now come to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in its true spirit across the country. It is imperative that the 2029 Lok Sabha elections and Assembly elections are conducted with women’s reservation in place,” the Prime Minister’s letter read.

Modi is of the view that implementation of the Women’s Reservation Act or ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam’ in 2029 will infuse new energy into India’s democratic institutions and strengthen public trust and it will also ensure greater participation and representation in governance.

The proposed amendments to Women’s Reservation Act, if passed, will multiply the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, with 273 reserved for women.

The provision to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and State assemblies was brought by amending the Constitution in 2023.

Earlier, the government wanted to complete the delimitation exercise on the basis of the Census 2027 before pushing for women’s quota in parliament and assemblies. As per that strategy, reservation would not have been enforceable before 2034.

Modi, however, appealed all parties to “demonstrate responsibility towards women and future generations” with the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill.

“I am writing this letter so that we may all come together in one voice to pass this amendment. It would be great to have many Members of Parliament express their views on this subject in Parliament. This is a moment above any one party or individual. It is a moment to demonstrate responsibility towards women and our future generations,” PM said.

“Since all political parties have expressed the desire to increase women’s representation in politics for a long time, this is the right time to turn that aspiration into reality. This will be a great achievement for the nation’s Nari Shakti and for 140 crore Indians. I have full confidence that we will all come together and achieve this historic feat in Parliament,” he wrote.

He also stated that this special sitting is an opportunity to further strengthen our democracy. It is also a moment to reiterate our collective commitment to moving forward together, taking everyone along.

“From space to sports, from the armed forces to start-ups, India’s daughters are making an impact in every field. With their hard work and determination, they are proving their capabilities,” he said.

In a letter to the prime minister, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said it would be “impossible” to have any useful discussion on the women’s quota law without details of delimitation and other aspects, and demanded that an all-party meeting be called on the matter after the current round of state polls gets over on April 29.

Kharge said that calling Parliament’s special sitting amid state polls reinforces the belief that the government is hurrying the implementation of the women’s reservation law for “political mileage”.

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju, responding to Kharge’s contention, stated said that when the women reservation bill was passed in February 2023, it was a reflection of long-cherished national aspiration and our collective promise to nari shakti across the country. Most of the parties then wanted to get the women empowerment law enacted as soon as possible and if we don’t act now it will be late for 2029 polls, he said hinting that it seems Congress was not inclined for it.

He also ruled out Kharge’s claim that government did consult opposition on the proposed amendment to the women reservation bill.

Published on April 12, 2026