India, April 19 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sharpened his attack on opposition parties after the defeat of the women's reservation-linked legislation in the Lok Sabha, accusing them of blocking the measure through "selfish politics" and what he described as an "anti-women" approach.

Striking an emotional and combative note, PM Modi said, "Despite our best efforts, we haven't succeeded. I apologise to all the mothers and sisters of the nation." He added that while the bill may not have secured the required two-thirds majority in Parliament, he believed the government had the backing of "100 per cent of the country's women".

Calling the outcome a setback to women's empowerment, he said the "dreams of Nari Shakti have been ...