Mamata Banerjee Accuses PM Modi of Misleading on Women's Reservation Bill

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has voiced her discontent with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's comments regarding the women's reservation bill, accusing him of misleading the public. She claims the central government is using the women's quota as a cover for its delimitation agenda. Banerjee highlights the TMC's commitment to women's representation and questions the government's sincerity in implementing the reservation. Her strong remarks challenge Modi's approach and call for accountability, especially in light of upcoming elections. This ongoing political discourse raises significant questions about women's rights and representation in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 19, 2026, 18:21 IST

Mamata Banerjee's Strong Response to PM Modi

Kolkata: On Sunday, West Bengal's Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her disappointment over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks regarding the women's quota bill, stating it was regrettable that he chose to mislead the public instead of being forthright.

Banerjee accused the central government of attempting to use the women's reservation issue as a facade to advance its delimitation agenda.

In a post on X, she remarked, "It is unfortunate that the Prime Minister has opted to mislead the nation rather than engage in an honest dialogue."

Following the Lok Sabha's rejection of a bill proposing 33% reservation for women in legislatures starting in 2029, Modi cautioned Congress and its allies that Indian women would hold them accountable for the issue of foeticide.

Banerjee emphasized that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has consistently advocated for increased political representation for women, highlighting that 37.9% of TMC's elected members in the Lok Sabha are women, with 46% of their Rajya Sabha nominations also being female.

She firmly stated that opposing women's reservation is not an option for her party.

However, she expressed strong opposition to the delimitation process that she believes the Modi administration is trying to push through under the guise of women's empowerment.

Banerjee criticized any attempts to alter the Constitution crafted by Babasaheb Ambedkar, warning against the division of the nation and the manipulation of political boundaries to favor BJP-led states.

Describing this as an attack on federal democracy, she declared, "We will not remain silent while this occurs."

In a direct challenge to the Prime Minister, she urged him to address the nation from Parliament, where he would be subject to scrutiny and accountability.

Banerjee accused Modi of cowardice and hypocrisy, suggesting that he is desperate to cling to power as it slips away.

On April 16, the central government presented three significant bills in the Lok Sabha, including the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, 2026, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026.

The government claimed that the 'Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam', or Women Reservation Act, would implement reservations for women based on delimitation following the Census conducted after 2026.

Banerjee questioned the government's sincerity, asking why it took nearly three years after the Women's Reservation Bill was passed on September 28, 2023, to act.

She also criticized the timing of the bill's introduction, coinciding with elections in several states, including West Bengal, asserting that the TMC has been a longstanding advocate for women's rights.

Finally, she stated, "We will not be lectured on a topic that the ruling party neither comprehends nor respects."