The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Wednesday dismissed as “too premature” the possibility of any dilution in the Women’s Reservation Bill ahead of a meeting of leaders of political parties in the Lok Sabha. The meeting has been convened here on April 5 for wider consultations with political party leaders to try and evolve at a consensus.
The Congress has rejected suggestions of any dilution in the bill during its official briefing held on Wednesday afternoon, while the law minister, Mr M. Veerappa Moily, had on Tuesday said the government would be going ahead with the bill in its present form in the Lok Sabha in the second phase of the Budget Session beginning April 15.
“It is too premature” was Dr Singh’s cryptic response when asked whether the bill, which seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and the state Assemblies, could see any dilution in view of the opposition by some political parties.
He said the matter was under discussion. “We will discuss with political parties how best to proceed. We are committed to discussing the issue”.
The current mood in the Congress and the government is not for dilution in this historic piece of legislation after realising that the party stands to gain and the BJP, Left will have no option but to support it.
The Mandalite parties — SP, JD(U) and the RJD — which are confined to Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, cannot stop the historic process, initiated by the Congress chief, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, even at the stake of the government at the Centre, insiders viewed.
Showing posts with label Women’s Reservation Bill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Women’s Reservation Bill. Show all posts
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Lalu to give letter of withdrawal of support to President
RJD chief Lalu Prasad said he would hand over to the President on Wednesday a letter withdrawing support to the UPA government over the issue of Women’s Reservation Bill while SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav remained non-committal on the issue.
Lalu told reporters that despite request by Yadav and himself to the Prime Minister during their meeting on Tuesday morning, the government went ahead with voting on the bill — which seeks to provide for 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State assemblies — in the Rajya Sabha.
“I will hand over the letter to the President withdrawing support tomorrow,” Lalu said.
The SP chief, who was also present, attacked the government for “forcing the bill in Rajya Sabha” but did not say in certain terms when he would hand over the letter withdrawing support to the President.
“I have already announced withdrawing support. We will let you know when we write the letter,” he said.
When asked whether it was the CBI cases against him, which were forcing him not to officially withdraw support, Yadav did not answer and left in a huff.
Lalu told reporters that despite request by Yadav and himself to the Prime Minister during their meeting on Tuesday morning, the government went ahead with voting on the bill — which seeks to provide for 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and State assemblies — in the Rajya Sabha.
“I will hand over the letter to the President withdrawing support tomorrow,” Lalu said.
The SP chief, who was also present, attacked the government for “forcing the bill in Rajya Sabha” but did not say in certain terms when he would hand over the letter withdrawing support to the President.
“I have already announced withdrawing support. We will let you know when we write the letter,” he said.
When asked whether it was the CBI cases against him, which were forcing him not to officially withdraw support, Yadav did not answer and left in a huff.
Friday, March 5, 2010
MIM: Bill will create Hindu LS
The MIM chief, Mr Asaduddin Owaisi, said in the Lok Sabha that the Women’s Reservation Bill in its present form would sound the “death knell” for his community.
Mr Owaisi said that the Bill would deprive the community of its place in the legislature and the House will eventually turn into a “Hindu Lok Sabha”. Participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, he said that Muslims would have “no space” if the Bill was passed.
“Reservation should start with the Muslim community as they are backward,” Mr Owaisi said. He pointed out that there was only one Muslim member each from AP, Maharashtra and Karnataka in the Lok Sabha Ms Sumitra Mahajan, chairing the proceedings, asked him to restrain himself. Some members objected to his remarks.
Mr Owaisi said that the Bill would deprive the community of its place in the legislature and the House will eventually turn into a “Hindu Lok Sabha”. Participating in the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President’s address, he said that Muslims would have “no space” if the Bill was passed.
“Reservation should start with the Muslim community as they are backward,” Mr Owaisi said. He pointed out that there was only one Muslim member each from AP, Maharashtra and Karnataka in the Lok Sabha Ms Sumitra Mahajan, chairing the proceedings, asked him to restrain himself. Some members objected to his remarks.
