Indian MP: Opposition ready for bill defeat

An Indian government bill to reserve a third of parliamentary seats for women has been defeated in the Lok Sabha, falling short of the required two-thirds majority with 298 votes in favor. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant has claimed that opposition parties were mentally prepared for the outcome, alleging their protest placards were printed before the vote was even held. The bill's failure has sparked protests from women's groups across the country and highlighted deep political divisions over the issue of gender representation in India's parliament.