Concern in Congress after Prime Minister’s speech: N. Ramchander Rao

Political tensions have intensified across the country over the Women’s Reservation Bill . Telangana BJP president N. Ramchander Rao alleged that the Congress party has been rattled following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation. Speaking to the media in Hyderabad on Sunday, he said the Prime Minister had exposed the “true colours” of the INDIA alliance .

Rao supported the Prime Minister’s remarks that opposition parties had dashed the aspirations of millions of women by blocking the Women’s Reservation Bill. He mocked Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi , who opposed the bill in the Lok Sabha, accusing them of now trying to “wash away their sins.” He said the Prime Minister had asserted in his speech that those who insulted women’s dignity would not be forgiven by 50 per cent of the country’s population , and that women would never forget this insult. Reacting to this, Rao expressed confidence that the public would definitely punish Congress leaders .

In the voting held in the Lok Sabha on April 17 , the Constitution Amendment Bill received 298 votes in favour and 230 against . However, it failed to secure the required two-thirds majority and was defeated. Meanwhile, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi , clarifying the party’s stand, alleged that the bill was not meant for women’s reservation but was aimed at delimitation of constituencies , which is why they opposed it.

While the BJP has accused opposition parties of blocking women’s representation in Parliament and State Assemblies, the Congress has criticised the government for delaying the implementation of reservations. Rao warned that the Congress would have to pay a heavy political price in the coming days, asserting that Prime Minister Modi enjoys widespread support among women . The future of the Women’s Reservation Bill and the politics surrounding it have now become a national talking point .

In the wake of the bill’s defeat, Union Minister Shobha Karandlaje strongly criticised the Congress and the INDIA alliance. Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office in Hyderabad on Sunday, she condemned what she termed the opposition’s anti-women stance . The Union Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises alleged that by defeating the Women’s Reservation Bill for the sixth time , the Congress had once again betrayed women. She also criticised opposition members for celebrating by thumping desks when the bill was defeated, calling it a sign of their “degraded conduct.”

She further condemned Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s remarks on a North–South divide , stating that such comments are extremely dangerous and could harm national unity. Highlighting initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, she said schemes like ‘Namo Drone Didi’ , ‘Lakhpati Didi’ , and Mudra loans are empowering women economically.

Rao thanked the Union Minister for exposing what he described as the Congress party’s anti-women policies , and reiterated that while the Prime Minister is working for women’s empowerment, the opposition is merely creating obstacles .