PM Modi calls for political unity at Vijayadasami celebrations as women’s reservation debate gathers pace

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged political parties and citizens to place national interests above differences, as the Union government seeks wider backing for a proposed women’s reservation framework linked to constituency delimitation.

Speaking at Vijayadasami celebrations at the DDA Utsav Ground in New Delhi’s IP Extension on Tuesday, Modi called on people to oppose forces he said were harming the country, dividing society and undermining India’s cultural traditions.

Invoking the principle of “Nation First”, the Prime Minister said national institutions and political parties should work together to meet the aspirations of citizens. He also cited a Sanskrit verse conveying the importance of shared thinking and collective purpose.

His appeal comes as the government attempts to build political consensus around legislation connecting the implementation of 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies with the delimitation process.

The proposal has emerged amid continuing disagreements between the government and opposition parties over electoral and political issues. Opposition groups have protested alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.

The BJP, meanwhile, has accused those leading the protests of trying to create instability. Modi’s remarks placed renewed emphasis on cooperation among political parties, suggesting that national priorities should take precedence over political rivalries. The appeal comes at a time when the government faces the challenge of securing sufficient support for its legislative agenda.

The debate over women’s reservation and delimitation remains politically significant, as the two issues are closely linked in the government’s proposed approach to implementing the quota.