Shillong, May 2026 – The Women’s Reservation Bill, officially known as the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, which reserves one-third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies, has received strong support from leaders across Meghalaya. Many view the legislation as a historic step toward gender empowerment, particularly fitting for the state’s matrilineal society, though some have raised concerns over its linkage with delimitation and the need for careful implementation.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma of the National People’s Party (NPP) has been one of the most vocal supporters. He described the bill as a “major democratic reform” and a “very welcome step” that should have been enacted much earlier. Sangma credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for pushing the reform and noted that Meghalaya’s cultural context makes it especially relevant. He also expressed optimism that the state could gain additional parliamentary seats through the accompanying delimitation process, leading to better representation and more inclusive decision-making.
Ampareen Lyngdoh, a prominent woman MLA and former minister, called the bill “historic” and expressed jubilation for women in the state. She hoped the 60-member Meghalaya Assembly would see around 20 women legislators post-implementation and emphasised that women are fully capable of performing effectively in politics.
Another MLA, Santa Mary Shylla, echoed similar sentiments, terming the bill a “big opportunity” for greater female participation. She pointed out the currently low representation of women in Meghalaya’s politics and the need to challenge the prevailing “man’s world” mindset in political spheres.
Leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Meghalaya have also hailed the bill as a landmark move for women’s empowerment. Party spokespersons and the women’s wing organised rallies and events to build support, arguing that it would strengthen the state’s voice in Parliament — potentially increasing Meghalaya’s Lok Sabha seats from two to three, with at least one reserved for a woman.
Former National Commission for Women member Delina Khongdup highlighted a unique paradox in Meghalaya: despite its matrilineal traditions, women’s political representation has often remained in single digits. She believes the bill will help bridge tradition with modernity and will not conflict with the state’s Sixth Schedule autonomous institutions.
While the core idea of the bill enjoys broad acceptance, some voices have expressed caution. Congress MP Vincent Pala supported women’s reservation in principle but criticised its linkage with delimitation and census exercises. He warned that the move could serve as a “shield” for other political agendas and pose risks to national unity, smaller states, and the interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
In more recent remarks in 2026, Ampareen Lyngdoh noted that even a strong government would find it challenging to push through related constitutional amendments without wider consensus. She called for thorough groundwork and preparation to address potential complexities in implementation, including the rotation of reserved seats and timelines.
Overall, political reactions in Meghalaya reflect strong endorsement of the bill’s objective to boost women’s participation in governance. The debate has largely centred not on the reservation itself but on procedural aspects like delimitation timing and ensuring the process does not disadvantage marginalised groups. As the country moves toward implementation, leaders in the state are watching closely how the policy translates into greater gender equity in politics while respecting Meghalaya’s unique socio-cultural fabric.
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