Delimitation bill LIVE: South share won't be reduced, says Amit Shah

Jairam Ramesh slams PM's speech, flags delimitation concerns

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday launched a sharp critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha address, accusing him of sidestepping core concerns around delimitation.

“Uncharacteristically, the non-grihasthi Prime Minister delivered only a 40 minute speech… he addressed every matter other than the key issue… delimitation,” Ramesh said, adding, “He didn’t address a single concern raised around it.”

He questioned the government’s outreach claims. “The PM… claimed that the Government has met every party… The truth is that it has rejected… calls… for an all-party meeting,” he said, alleging no consultation with states.

Ramesh also criticised the tone of the speech. “By labelling… concerns… as ‘technical bahanebaazi,’ the Prime Minister has shown a willful blindness,” he said.

Raising OBC representation, he added, “We must introduce a quota within quota… But the Prime Minister is willfully deaf.”

He warned the government could face defeat in the House, calling the earlier vote “only a trailer.”

Ruckus in Lok Sabha over remarks on leaders in women's cases

A heated exchange disrupted proceedings in the Lok Sabha on Thursday after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant questioned the BJP’s stance on women’s rights, invoking the names of former party leaders linked to cases involving crimes against women.

His remarks drew an immediate response from BJP MP Nishikant Dubey, who countered sharply. He said that if names such as Kuldeep Sengar and Brijbhushan Singh were being cited, then “the name of Aditya Thackeray will also be taken because his name has also come up in case of crimes against women.”

The statement triggered protests from Opposition benches, with MPs including Supriya Sule objecting to the remark and demanding that Dubey’s comments be censured and removed from the record. They argued there was no such case involving Aaditya Thackeray.

Presiding over the session, Jagdambika Pal ordered that Sawant’s references to Kuldeep Sengar and Brijbhushan Singh be struck from the proceedings.

Sawant protested the decision, saying, “this is wrong, are rapists going to be protected this way now.. Sengar isn't an accused, he has been convicted”.

The confrontation led to a brief ruckus in the House before order was restored.

Arvind Sawant dares Govt to drop the delimitation link to women’s Quota

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant on Thursday challenged the government’s framing of the proposed legislation, arguing in the Lok Sabha that the measures are driven by electoral considerations rather than principle.

Pushing back against the government’s claim that the Bills are rooted in fairness, he said, “The Prime Minister and BJP are saying these Bills are about morality and are not political. I say these are purely political.”

Sawant pointed to the timeline of the earlier legislation to question the Centre’s intent. “The Act was passed in 2023, you did not let it be implemented immediately,” he said.

He then threw down a direct challenge to the government over the linkage with delimitation. “Even today, I dare you, remove the delimitation aspect from this Bill and all of us will immediately support implementation of women reservation but you do not have the courage to do that because your intent is purely political.”

Escalating his attack, Sawant linked the move to the BJP’s political calculations in key states. “You have realised the ground beneath your feet is slipping, things are not looking good for you in Bengal and Tamil Nadu so you are using this excuse for political gains,” he said.

PM Modi jibes at DMK over black attire in Lok Sabha

Modi concludes with a swipe at DMK MPs, thanking them for being dressed in black and saying, 'when we are about to do something good, our tradition is to apply 'kala tika' so that it goes well, you have applied us the kala tika, and I thank you for that."

PM Modi says women’s quota move is collective, not political

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday appealed for a less partisan approach as the Lok Sabha debated measures linked to women’s reservation and delimitation, arguing that the outcome should be seen as a shared institutional step.

“This will be in favour of the country's democracy, it will be in favour of the country's collective decision-making, and we will all be entitled to the credit,” he said, positioning the proposal as a broader democratic exercise rather than a political win for any side.

He pushed back against the idea that the government alone should claim ownership. “Neither the Treasury Department nor Modi will be its rightful owner, nor will everyone sitting here be its rightful owner,” he added, suggesting the initiative belongs to Parliament as a whole.

Turning to critics, Modi asked them to reflect on past debates around the issue. “I would like those who smell politics in this to examine their own perspectives over the past 30 years and see if there is any benefit in this,” he said.

He closed by urging restraint in framing the issue. “I believe there's no need to give it a political spin...”

PM Modi urges unity, says women’s quota beyond politics

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged members of the Lok Sabha to treat the issue of women’s reservation and delimitation as a collective national exercise rather than a partisan contest.

Framing the proposal as a broader democratic step, he said, “This will be in favour of the country's democracy, it will be in favour of the country's collective decision-making, and we will all be entitled to the credit.” He stressed that no single side should claim ownership of the move. “Neither the Treasury Department nor Modi will be its rightful owner, nor will everyone sitting here be its rightful owner.”

Modi also addressed the political friction surrounding the debate, asking critics to reassess their stance. “I would like those who smell politics in this to examine their own perspectives over the past 30 years and see if there is any benefit in this,” he said.

Calling for restraint in how the issue is framed, he added, “I believe there's no need to give it a political spin...”

PM Modi warns opponents of women’s quota of political cost

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday issued a pointed warning in the Lok Sabha during the debate on women’s reservation and delimitation, cautioning political opponents against resisting the proposed measures.

“Jo aaj virodh karenge usko lambe samay tak keemat chukani padegi...” he said, suggesting that those opposing the move could face long-term political consequences.

The remark came amid a charged discussion in the House, with sharp divisions between the government and the Opposition over the timing and structure of the women’s reservation framework, as well as its linkage to delimitation.

Modi’s intervention added a sharper edge to the debate, which has seen competing claims over intent, constitutional validity, and electoral impact, even as the government presses ahead with legislation aimed at implementing the long-pending quota.

PM Modi says women’s quota is ‘due’, not a favour

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made a forceful pitch in the Lok Sabha for the implementation of women’s reservation, framing it as both a corrective step and a long-delayed commitment.

“This decision will not differentiate between or do injustice with anyone. The proportionate share that that previous governments have given will also continue,” he said, seeking to reassure states and political parties over representation. He added, “If you want me to use the word guarantee or promise or any equal word in Tamil for this, I am willing to do that too because when our intent is clean, words don't matter.”

Modi said the move should not be seen as an act of generosity but as a matter of rightful entitlement. “We are not doing women any favour. We are giving them their due. This is penance. We are trying to rid ourselves of the mistakes done in the past.”

Pointing to delays over the decades, he said, “For three decades people stalled this from happening using different tactics. They would support women reservation in speeches but then put conditions. Three decades were wasted. We will not let that happen now. This (women reservation) has to become a reality.”

Addressing the political debate around the issue, Modi remarked, “Some people think Modi will benefit from this. If they oppose it, obviously Modi will benefit. I can't do anything about it.” He added that he was not seeking personal or political credit. “I am not doing this for credit. If they are worried about credit, I am ready to get an advertisement published once this Bill is passed and put photos of everyone (from different political parties) and say thank you. I am giving you a blank cheque for credit. I don't want credit for this,” he said.

PM Modi cautions against giving women’s quota a political spin

“Those who are seeing politics in this, I want them to see the consequences they had faced in the last 30 years. No need to give the issue a political colour,” said PM Modi.

PM Modi urges unity, says women’s quota not for political gain

“ But the same did not happen during the 2024 elections, as everyone agreed on the issue, and hence it did not become a poll plank. This time also, if we remain united, we will make history. It will not be for the political benefit of one party,” said PM Modi.