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The government has called a special three-day session of Parliament from April 16 to 18, during which it is set to introduce a Constitutional Amendment Bill aimed at implementing the women’s reservation law ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

 

Ahead of the session, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has issued a three-line whip to its Members of Parliament in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, directing them to remain present throughout the proceedings. MPs have been instructed to strictly adhere to the whip, with no leave permitted during the three days.

 

Pertinently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a letter to floor leaders of both Houses, stressed the need to implement the women’s reservation law, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, in its “true spirit.” He said it was imperative that the 2029 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections be conducted with the quota for women in place, urging all parties to come together to pass the required amendments.

 

 

The Union Cabinet is learnt to have cleared on Wednesday (April 8) draft bills which seek to implement the women’s quota before the 2029 parliamentary polls and increase the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, with 273 reserved for women.

In a message to all of its MPs, the BJP said, “A Three-Line Whip being issued to all BJP Members in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha from Thursday to Saturday, 16th to 18th April 2026.”

“All Hon’ble Union Ministers and Members are requested to remain present in the House throughout all the three above mentioned dates,” it said.“Presence in the House is mandatory. No leave will be granted. Members are requested to strictly comply with the Whip and ensure their uninterrupted attendance in the House,” it added.  

 

A special session of Parliament in India is a session convened outside the standard three annual sessions (Budget, Monsoon, Winter) for specific milestones or urgent business. While the term is not in the Constitution, it is often called by the President (under Article 85(1)) for occasions like commemorations or emergency debates. However, this special session is essentially an extended part of the Budget session convened by the government in February.