“We Will Not Let Them Sleep”: Fadnavis Tears Into Opposition Over Women’s Reservation Bill Defeat

Fadnavis Launches Fierce Attack on Opposition

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday launched a blistering attack on opposition parties over the defeat of the women’s reservation bill in the Lok Sabha, branding them “serial liars” and accusing them of betraying women across the country.

Speaking at the inauguration of the ‘Youth Power Awakening March’ in Mumbai, Fadnavis said the ruling alliance would not stop pressuring the opposition until 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures becomes a reality.

“As long as we do not get 33% reservation for women in Parliament and Legislative Assembly of India, we will not let the Opposition sleep peacefully. We will continue our fight against them,” Fadnavis declared.

His sharp remarks have further escalated the political confrontation over the bill, turning the women’s reservation issue into a major battleground between the ruling alliance and the opposition.

‘Their True Face Has Been Exposed’

Fadnavis claimed that the opposition supported the women’s reservation bill in 2023 only because the NDA had a two-thirds majority, leaving them with little choice.

According to him, the opposition’s recent stand has exposed what he called their “real mindset” now that the government lacks the numbers needed for a constitutional amendment.

“When the NDA had a two-thirds majority, they supported the bill because they had no option. But now they know the NDA does not have the numbers, and their true face has come out,” he said.

He further accused opposition leaders of insulting women and undermining democracy by resisting the measure.

“By opposing this bill, they have insulted women’s power and India’s democracy. Their real face must be brought before the public,” Fadnavis said.

Opposition Accused of Spreading Lies

The Chief Minister intensified his criticism by accusing opposition parties of repeatedly misleading the public on key national issues.

“They lie every day. They lie about delimitation, they lie about the census, and now they lie about women’s reservation,” he alleged.

The aggressive remarks are part of a broader campaign by the ruling Mahayuti alliance, which is seeking to portray the opposition as anti-women following the bill’s rejection in Parliament.

Signature Campaign to Mobilise Women

A day earlier, Fadnavis had announced that the Mahayuti alliance would launch a statewide outreach campaign to gather one crore signatures from women, aimed at building public pressure in favour of the women’s reservation bill.

The campaign, according to the Chief Minister, is intended to create a “people’s mandate” and expose what he described as the opposition’s anti-women politics.

The move signals that the ruling alliance plans to convert the bill’s defeat into a mass political issue ahead of upcoming elections.

Opposition Rejects Allegations

Opposition leaders, however, have strongly rejected Fadnavis’ accusations, insisting that they support women’s reservation but object to linking it with delimitation.

NCP MP Supriya Sule challenged Fadnavis to a public debate, saying the opposition has always backed women’s representation and accusing the government of manufacturing controversy.

Sule noted that the Nari Shakti Vandana Bill was already passed in 2023, and questioned why the government has failed to implement it.

She argued that women expected the reservation to take effect in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, but the Centre has not taken the required follow-up steps.

Political Battle Set to Intensify

With the ruling alliance calling the opposition anti-women and opposition parties accusing the government of political theatrics, the women’s reservation issue is rapidly turning into a high-voltage political flashpoint.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also criticised the government’s approach, describing the bill as part of a broader attempt to reshape India’s electoral framework.

As both sides dig in, the fight over women’s reservation is set to become one of the defining political narratives in Maharashtra and beyond in the coming months.

Why did Devendra Fadnavis call the opposition ‘serial liars’?

Fadnavis accused the opposition of misleading the public on women’s reservation, delimitation, and the census, calling them “serial liars” after the women’s reservation bill was rejected.

What did Fadnavis say about women’s reservation?

He said the ruling alliance would continue fighting until 33% reservation for women is implemented in Parliament and state legislatures.

What is the Mahayuti alliance planning?

The alliance plans to collect one crore signatures from women across Maharashtra to build public pressure for women’s reservation.

What is the opposition’s stand?

The opposition says it supports women’s reservation but opposes linking it with delimitation and has accused the government of creating unnecessary controversy.