India's Women's Reservation Bill Fails

The bill proposed a 33% reservation for women in legislatures but was tied to a controversial delimitation process that rivals claimed would unfairly disadvantage certain states.

Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, celebrated the defeat as a win for democracy, arguing the government's plan was a strategic ploy to consolidate power.

The failure marks the first time since 2014 that a major government-backed bill has been struck down in Parliament.

BJP leadership has directed ministers to highlight the opposition's stance as they prepare for upcoming electoral contests.