Political Tensions Rise in Assam Following Women's Reservation Bill Defeat

In the wake of the Lok Sabha's rejection of the Women's Reservation Bill, Assam has become a battleground for political accusations between the Congress and BJP. Gaurav Gogoi of the Congress criticized the BJP for prioritizing political control over women's empowerment, while BJP president Dilip Saikia condemned the opposition for obstructing progress. As tensions rise, both parties are gearing up for future electoral battles, with the implications of this political clash likely to resonate in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 18, 2026, 14:23 IST

Political Fallout in Assam

File image of Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia (left), and APCC Chief Gaurav Gogoi (Photo: X)

Guwahati, Apr 18: Following the defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bill aimed at securing 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies in the Lok Sabha, Assam witnessed a significant political clash on Saturday. The Congress and BJP exchanged accusations regarding the bill's failure.

Gaurav Gogoi, the chief of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), criticized the ruling BJP, asserting that their true intention was not to empower women but to exert 'political control through delimitation.'

Gogoi stated, “Their primary goal is to serve their own political interests by entangling the Women’s Reservation Bill in a web of complications.”

The Jorhat MP claimed that discussions over the past few days revealed the BJP's strategy to centralize constitutional authority and disrupt the political equilibrium among states.

“Our reports and debates have unveiled how the BJP aims to consolidate constitutional powers for itself, diminishing the political influence of states with smaller populations,” he remarked.

He emphasized that the public is now aware of what he termed the BJP’s 'political motives' behind the delimitation process. Citing previous delimitation exercises in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir, he accused the BJP of using it as a political instrument.

“The manner in which delimitation was executed in Assam and Jammu and Kashmir before the Lok Sabha elections, purely for political gain, has been thwarted. However, we must remain vigilant against future attempts,” he cautioned.

Senior Congress figure Ripun Bora also challenged the BJP's dedication to women's empowerment, highlighting a disparity between their public declarations and actual political actions.

Bora pointed out the BJP's push for 33% reservation for women in Parliament, contrasting it with the party's candidate list for the upcoming 2026 Assam Assembly elections, which he claimed reflects limited female representation, indicating 'selective empowerment.'

He accused the BJP of leveraging women's issues as a political narrative rather than fostering genuine participation, asserting that empowerment should extend beyond mere symbolism to ensure consistent representation in politics.

In response, Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia accused the Congress and other opposition parties of obstructing women's empowerment, labeling the bill's defeat as a historic injustice.

“The actions of Congress, Trinamool Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK, and other opposition parties have disrespected women's empowerment in India and harmed their dignity and honor, which is an unforgivable crime,” Saikia stated.

He referred to April 17 as a 'black day' in the history of India's political landscape and women's empowerment, claiming that the opposition acted as an obstacle to the Constitution Amendment Bill's passage.

“By pushing the future of women's empowerment into darkness, the Congress and other opposition parties have created an unprecedented situation, and the public will not forgive such anti-women politics,” he added.

Saikia concluded by asserting that women across the nation would respond democratically in the future.