Prime Minister Narendra Modi has written to floor leaders of both Houses of Parliament, urging political parties to come together to operationalise the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in time for the 2029 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections, ahead of a special three-day sitting beginning April 16.In his letter, the PM underlined that the upcoming discussion presents “an opportunity to further strengthen our democracy” and reiterated that women’s participation in leadership was central to India’s development trajectory. He noted that across sectors, from space and sports to startups and the armed forces, women were increasingly shaping outcomes through “hard work and determination”.“After extensive deliberations, we have concluded that the time has come to implement the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in its true spirit across the country,” Modi wrote.He said implementing the law from 2029 would “infuse new energy into India’s democratic institutions and strengthen public trust”, while ensuring greater participation and representation of women in governance.Calling it a moment “above any one party or individual”, Modi urged MPs to treat the issue as a collective responsibility towards “women and our future generations”.Referring to the 2023 constitutional amendment that mandates 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, the PM pointed out that there had been broad political consensus on advancing women’s representation. He said consultations had been held with experts and political stakeholders on the timing of implementation, with a view that the provisions should take effect at the earliest.Under the existing framework, the quota would have become operational only after delimitation based on the 2027 Census, effectively pushing implementation to 2034. The government was now seeking to amend the law to enable rollout from the 2029 general elections.If the proposed changes are cleared, the strength of the Lok Sabha is expected to rise to 816 seats, with 273 seats reserved for women.Modi also appealed to MPs to participate actively in the forthcoming debate, stating that those contributing to the law’s implementation “will always take pride in having been part of this historic effort”.Meanwhile, the BJP has issued a three-line whip to its MPs for the April 16-18 sitting. The party said attendance in both Houses was mandatory and members had been asked to ensure uninterrupted participation during the session.