ITANAGAR, ARUNACHAL PRADESH — Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed disappointment over the failure of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, while placing responsibility on opposition parties and expressing hope for a future resolution.
Speaking in Itanagar, Khandu described the Women’s Reservation Bill as a very positive and much-needed initiative by the Government of India, aimed at strengthening women’s participation in politics. He reiterated that the bill had the potential to bring transformative change in governance by ensuring greater representation of women.
Khandu said that the failure of the bill to pass was unfortunate, and directly blamed opposition parties for not extending their support to the constitutional amendment. He подчеркнул that despite widespread demand for women’s reservation over the years, political consensus could not be achieved at a crucial moment.
Referring to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Khandu said that the government had taken a significant step by bringing the bill forward in Parliament. However, since it required a two-thirds majority, the lack of sufficient support resulted in its defeat.
He maintained that the bill passed in 2023 was a strong foundation, and should ideally be implemented by 2029 with clear rules and guidelines. According to him, it remains an important reform that should not be abandoned.
Despite the setback, Khandu expressed optimism about the future, stating that he is confident the Prime Minister will find a way forward to resolve the issue. He emphasised the importance of continued dialogue and efforts to build consensus among political parties.
The Chief Minister also reiterated that this was a major opportunity for women across the country, and its delay is a loss not just for Arunachal Pradesh but for India as a whole.
His remarks add to the broader national debate following the bill’s failure, with leaders across the political spectrum offering differing perspectives on responsibility and the way ahead.
Pema Khandu’s statement reflects a mix of criticism and optimism—holding opposition parties accountable for the setback while expressing faith that efforts will continue to ensure women’s reservation becomes a reality in the future.
