PM Narendra Modi to address the nation at 8:30 pm tonight, a day after women’s quota bill setback in Lok Sabha

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to address the nation tonight at 8:30 pm, in what is expected to be a significant political statement following developments in Parliament over the Women’s Reservation Bill.

It is likely that the Prime Minister may speak on the issue of women’s reservation, which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies, but failed to secure passage after not achieving the required two-thirds majority in the Lok Sabha, on Friday. However, the PMO has not provided any information regarding the subject of the address.

The bill saw strong debate in Parliament, where 298 members supported it while 230 voted against it. However, it ultimately failed to pass, as confirmed by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Following the outcome, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju stated that the government would not proceed with related interlinked legislation at this stage.

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The issue has triggered sharp political exchanges. Former Union Minister Smriti Irani strongly criticised the opposition, particularly the Congress and INDIA bloc parties, accusing them of blocking what she described as a historic opportunity to empower women in politics.

In a strongly worded statement, Irani said the vote reflected “betrayal” and accused opposing members of prioritising politics over progress. She argued that the resistance to the bill reflects insecurity toward greater representation of women in decision-making roles, adding that women across India would “remember who stood with them and who stood against them.”

Earlier, Prime Minister Modi had also appealed to Members of Parliament through a post on X, urging them to support the constitutional amendment. He called it a “significant opportunity” to ensure justice for women and strengthen democratic institutions. The Prime Minister had further appealed to MPs to vote with conscience and consider the interests of women across the country, stating that unanimous support would mark a historic step forward.

With the bill failing to clear Parliament and political tensions rising, all eyes are now on the Prime Minister’s national address tonight.

PM Modi reviews national preparedness amid West Asia conflict

The Prime Minister, on Saturday, also reviewed India’s preparedness amid the escalating West Asia conflict and chaired discussions on safeguarding national interests and managing global supply chain disruptions affecting key sectors, including energy, agriculture, fertilisers, shipping, logistics, and aviation.

He also chaired the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting in Parliament to review national preparedness amid the West Asia situation.

The Cabinet approved a dedicated fund for re-insurance of Indian-flagged ships amid a sharp rise in global re-insurance costs, which have increased three to four times due to tensions involving the US, Israel, and Iran. The move aims to reduce cost pressure on shipping companies and ensure stability in the maritime sector while also protecting re-insurance firms from potential losses.

The Cabinet also extended the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) till 2028 and approved an additional ₹3,000 crore allocation to strengthen rural road connectivity across the country.