India, April 17 -- The Centre on Friday failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha to pass the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which sought to provide 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies.

The bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against, falling short of the threshold needed for a constitutional amendment.

The government maintained that these measures were "intrinsically linked" to the women's reservation proposal.

The debate in the Lok Sabha stretched late into Thursday night and resumed on Friday, with the government making a strong case for the legislation.

Government's stand

Leading the charge, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged MPs to rise above political differenc...