BJP & Left : Pass Women's Reservation bill

Mar 8:New Delhi:The Prime Minister today held a meeting with the leaders of various parties supporting the Women's Reservation Bill in the wake of unprecedented unruly behaviour of some of the members of the SP and the RJD at the time the bill was moved in the Rajya Sabha today.Later, speaking to newsmen, BJP spokesman Mr. S.S. Ahluwalia said that the leader of opposition in both Houses, Mr. Arun Jaitley of Rajya Sabha and Sushma Swaraj of Lok Sabha have told the Prime Minister that they want discussion on the bill before it is passed.They also want the bill to be passed today itself as the government has the requisite support to do so. The Left parties have also said that they want the parliamentary practices to be protected and get the bill passed.
e Rajya Sabha will take up today for discussion and passage the Women Reservation Bill providing 33 per cent reservation to women in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. The discussion on the Bill was deferred on Monday following stiff opposition from SP and RJD on the issue.

The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh will meet the leaders of RJD, SP and JD(U) and some other leaders this morning before Parliament meets for the day.

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned on Monday for the day as protest on the bill continued which lead to the final adjournment after repeated disruption and unprecedented unruly scenes by the members of the two parties. Both SP and RJD want a sub quota in the Bill for backward classes and minorities.The Bill was moved for consideration in the Rajya Sabha by Law Minister Veerappa Moily amidst noisy scenes. The members trooped in to the well of the House time and again and even resorted to snatching of the mike of the Chairman and tearing of the Bill. The Law Minister announced that the House will take up the Bill for discussion on Tuesday.

With unruly scenes continuing in the two Houses, the Prime Minister convened a meeting of the parties supporting the bill.

Later talking to reporters, BJP leader, S.S. Ahluwalia said that the leaders of opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley have told the Prime Minister that the party is in favour of a discussion on the constitutional amendment before it is taken up for voting.

CPI leader, D. Raja said that they want the Parliamentary practices to be protected and get the bill passed. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and CPIM leader Brinda Karat charged the government of failing to manage the floor.

Earlier, the RJD and Samajwadi Party announced that they will withdraw outside support to the UPA government to register their protest against the bill.

SP Chief, Mulayam Singh Yadav told reporters outside Parliament that a 20 per cent quota must be earmarked for minorities and backward classes in the bill.

RJD President, Lalu Prasad stuck to his party stand on the issue.

Meanwhile, Congress asserted that Women's Reservation Bill will be passed despite obstacles by a handful of members. Party spokesman, Abhishek Singhvi said that the passage of the bill is not far off.

AIR correspondent reports that the top leaders of the ruling alliance are holding discussions on the strategy to be adopted for the passege of bill. The BSP which has 21 members in the Lok Sabha is also opposing the bill but it is keeping its cards close to its chest on supporting the government. RJD has four members and Samajwadi Party 22 in the House of 544.

The Congress has issued a fresh whip to its Rajya Sabha MPs to be present in the House on Tuesday and vote for the bill. Party sources said, the three-line whip was issued by Congress last evening.