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New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Thursday (April 16) saw heated exchanges between the opposition and treasury benches as the Union government tabled its three bills to “operationalise” 33% reservation for women by bringing in a constitutional amendment to expand the strength of the Lok Sabha and accompanying bills on delimitation and Union Territories.

The three bills – the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026 and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026 faced opposition at the introduction stage itself, leading to a division of votes on whether the constitutional amendment could be introduced in the House.

After the opposition’s insistence on a division of votes, the final tally on the voting on the introduction of the Constitution Amendment Bill, showed that a total 436 members were present in the house, with 251 members who voted in favour, and 185 who voted against.

If this tally stands, the required special majority, i.e., two-thirds of members present and voting to get the constitutional amendment passed stands at 290. While more members may come for the voting on the Bill, scheduled for 4 pm Friday, the introduction of the Bills itself has set the stage for a close match ahead over the Modi government seeking to alter the fundamental electoral architecture of the country.

The three bills were brought to the House on Thursday as a three-day special session of parliament has been called to clear the 2023 Women’s Reservation Act that provided for 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state legislatures.

However, the 2023 legislation was tied to delimitation and the nationwide census.  In the constitutional amendment tabled........

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