PM Modi said the ruling party would face the wrath of women voters in the state. Photo: @BJP4India
PM Modi attacks TMC over women’s quota bill, says Bengal voters will punish party
Prime Minister accuses TMC and Congress of blocking 33% women’s reservation bill, alleging “betrayal” of women and pitching BJP as pro-empowerment and security
Accusing the Trinamool Congress of "betraying" women by preventing the passage of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026 in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (April 19) said that the ruling party in West Bengal would be punished by the women of the State in the upcoming Assembly elections.
The Prime Minister further alleged that the TMC, in collusion with the Congress, blocked the passage of the bill, which sought to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, dubbing the party as being "opposed to women's empowerment".
"We have seen how the TMC betrayed women in Parliament. The TMC conspired with the Congress to prevent the passage of the bill as it is against women's empowerment," he said, addressing an election rally at Bishnupur in Bankura district.
BJP’s pitch on women’s empowerment
"The BJP's identity, on the other hand, is tied to women's empowerment, and their safety and security. That is why women across the country shower the BJP with their blessings,” said PM Modi.
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"We want the role of women to expand in building a developed India, and want more and more women to enter politics. But West Bengal has seen once again how the TMC betrayed the state's sisters and daughters," he added.
Alleging that the TMC opposed both women's reservation and empowerment, Modi said the ruling party would face the wrath of women voters in the state.
"The TMC does not want women's empowerment and reservation. The women of West Bengal will punish it," he said.
Bill details and parliamentary setback
The Prime Minister's remarks came two days after the BJP-led government failed to secure passage of the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha.
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The bill sought to implement 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies before the 2029 Lok Sabha polls through a delimitation exercise based on the 2011 Census.
Charges of appeasement and constitutional violation
Modi accused the TMC of practising the politics of appeasement while denying representation to women. "This is the same TMC which breaks every law and every rule to benefit infiltrators, but opposes women's empowerment," he said.
"This is the same TMC which is engaged in providing reservations based on religion. It is strangling the spirit of the Constitution," Modi alleged.
Promises and tribal outreach
If voted to power in West Bengal, the BJP will provide up to Rs 1.5 lakh to women under PMAY to build homes, he said.
The prime minister also accused the TMC of insulting President Droupadi Murmu and being indifferent to tribal communities' concerns.
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"The anti-tribal TMC insulted President Droupadi Murmu. Both the TMC and the Congress are anti-tribal. That is why they fielded a candidate against Droupadi Murmu in the presidential elections," he said.
Modi said this year's West Bengal polls will be historic as people will end TMC's 'bhoy' (fear) and give a mandate to BJP's 'bharosa' (trust).
"I give one last opportunity to TMC's goons to surrender to police before polls as none would be spared after results on May 4," he added.
(With agency inputs)