Congress Pursues ‘Selfish, Anti-Reform’ Politics: PM Modi

New Delhi (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a sharp attack on the Congress party on Saturday, accusing it of spreading misinformation regarding delimitation and pursuing “negative politics” that harms national interests.

The Prime Minister alleged that the Congress follows a “divide and rule” policy inherited from the British. He specifically accused the party of falsely claiming that delimitation would adversely impact certain states.

The Battle for Women’s Rights

Addressing the nation following the Lok Sabha’s failure to pass the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill on women’s reservation, PM Modi framed the issue as a broader struggle against “anti-reform dynastic parties.”

“The Bill was not an attempt to take credit, but an effort to grant rights to half the population,” the Prime Minister stated. He blamed “selfish politics” for stalling women’s reservation for decades.

Key Highlights from the PM’s Address:

• Unwavering Support: While the Bill failed to secure the necessary 66 percent vote, the PM asserted that “100 percent of Nari Shakti” stands with the government.

• Critique of Dynasties: He claimed that parties like the Congress, DMK, TMC, and Samajwadi Party fear competition from successful women leaders in local bodies.

• Threat to Leadership: He argued that dynastic parties worry that empowered women would eventually overshadow their established leaders.

Opposition to ‘Viksit Bharat’

The Prime Minister listed several reforms that he claims the Congress has consistently opposed in its effort to block the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat.’ These include:

• Economic & Digital Reforms: GST, Jan Dhan Yojana, [Aadhaar Redacted], and digital payments.

• National Policy & Security: CAA, UCC, abrogation of Article 370, ‘One Nation, One Poll,’ and measures against illegal immigration.

Impact on Regional Allies

PM Modi described the Congress as a “predatory party” whose stance has hurt its own allies. He noted that by following the Congress’s lead, the DMK and TMC squandered the chance to send more women MPs to Parliament. He further remarked that the Samajwadi Party missed a vital opportunity to shed its “anti-women” image.

The Vote Count: The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, required 352 votes (a two-thirds majority) for passage. It failed after receiving 298 votes in favor and 230 against.

The Prime Minister concluded that the vote exposed the opposition’s pattern of blocking women’s progress, predicting that women voters would deliver a fitting response in the future.