Narendra Modi accuses Mamata Banerjee’s party of blocking women’s representation
April 19, 2026: Days after the setback to the women’s reservation legislation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi intensified his attack on the Trinamool Congress during a rally in Bankura. Targeting Mamata Banerjee’s party, he alleged that it did not want more women from Bengal to become MLAs and MPs, claiming they were challenging what he described as a “jungle raj”.
Addressing another rally in Bishnupur, the Prime Minister termed the failure of amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam a “conspiracy” by opposition parties, including the Congress. He accused them of betraying women by blocking the proposed 33% reservation, asserting that his government had taken steps to implement the quota from 2029 and expand women’s participation in politics.
Raising the political pitch, Modi further accused the TMC of favouring illegal immigrants and undermining constitutional values. Referring to the Bill’s defeat in the Lok Sabha, he described it as the “foeticide” of a genuine effort to ensure equality and representation. He also criticised parties like Congress, SP, and DMK, saying women across the country would respond to what he called their opposition to the reservation move.