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Amit Shah accuses DMK, Congress of depriving women's quota as 131st amendment is defeated
Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised DMK and Congress over the Opposition’s vote against the 131st constitution amendment bill to expand the Lok Sabha and reserve 33% for women. He spoke during a roadshow in Modakurichi, Erode district, ahead of Tamil Nadu’s assembly polls, claimed a 50% increase in Tamil Nadu’s Lok Sabha seats was possible, and accused DMK of dynastic politics. He later posted a video of the roadshow on social media affirming BJP support in Tamil Nadu.
Why It Matters
The event highlights national debate over women’s representation in Parliament and the use of a constitutional amendment in a politically charged context ahead of state elections.
Timeline
3 Events
Shah shares roadshow video on social media
April 19, 2026
In a later social media post, Shah shared a video of his Modakurichi roadshow and stated 'Enthusiastic support for BJP in Tamil Nadu.'
Amit Shah roadshow remarks in Modakurichi, Erode district
April 19, 2026
During a roadshow in support of the Modakurichi candidate for Tamil Nadu’s April 23 assembly polls, Shah criticised the DMK and Congress for the Opposition’s vote against the constitutional amendment bill. He said they deprived sisters and mothers across the country of reservation in Parliament and assemblies, and argued there was a potential for a 50% Lok Sabha seat increase for Tamil Nadu, which the Opposition’s stance would offset by basing gains on the 2026 census. He also attacked DMK’s dynastic politics, accusing MK Stalin of focusing on making his son Udhayanidhi chief minister.
131st Constitution Amendment bill defeated by Opposition
April 2026
The 131st constitution amendment bill, which would raise the Lok Sabha’s total seats to 850 and implement 33% reservation for women, was defeated by a united Opposition. The government had proposed a 50% increase in overall Lok Sabha and state assembly seats and had asserted that proportional representation of states would not change; however, that assurance was not written into the bill, becoming a major point of contention and fueling debate on delimitation based on the 2011 population count.