Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday renewed his push for the implementation of women’s reservation in legislatures while launching a sharp political offensive against opposition parties, addressing a large gathering at a Mahila Sammelan in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi.
Speaking at the ‘Jan-Aakrosh Mahila Sammelan’ at the BLW Ground, Modi highlighted his government’s focus on expanding women’s role in policymaking, describing “Nari Shakti” as central to India’s development trajectory. “Our government is committed to ensuring women’s participation in policymaking in the country. When I talk about a developed India, its strongest pillar is the women power of India,” he said.
Calling the reservation measure a “major national goal,” the Prime Minister sought public backing for its rollout in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. “As the MP from Kashi and as the Prime Minister of the country, I seek your blessings to achieve a major national goal. And that goal is to implement reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies,” Modi said.
He alleged that recent attempts to pass the proposal in Parliament were blocked by opposition parties. “A few days ago, due to parties like the Samajwadi Party and the Congress, our effort could not succeed in Parliament. But I assure all of you sisters once again that I will leave no stone unturned to ensure that your right to reservation is implemented,” he added.
Stepping up his attack, Modi accused parties such as the Samajwadi Party, Congress, Trinamool Congress, and DMK of resisting women’s empowerment for political reasons. “In reality, all these dynastic and appeasement-driven parties are afraid of women power. These family-run parties do not want those daughters of the country to enter the Assemblies and Parliament who are proving their leadership from college campuses to panchayats and local bodies,” he said.
He further claimed that women voters were increasingly turning away from such parties. “You are seeing in Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu, sisters have cast record votes. The parties opposing women’s reservation have no idea that this vote of the sisters was to punish these anti-women parties,” Modi said.
Reiterating his government’s priorities, the Prime Minister said women’s welfare has remained at the forefront of policymaking. “Along with providing a sense of safety and security, we have also emphasized increasing the economic participation of our sisters,” he noted.
The event itself underscored this focus, with women managing all arrangements—from anchoring to security—highlighting a model of women-led organisation.
Modi’s visit, his 54th to Varanasi since assuming office and his first in 2026, combined political messaging with a development push. During the two-day program he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 163 projects worth over Rs 6,332 crore across sectors such as roads, healthcare, and urban development.
He also flagged off two Amrit Bharat Express trains connecting Banaras to Pune and Ayodhya to Mumbai, and announced benefits for local milk producers.
The visit is being seen as part of a broader effort to boost development in the Purvanchal region while strengthening the Bharatiya Janata Party’s outreach to women voters ahead of upcoming elections. Senior BJP leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, were present at the event.
