Women Reservation Bill Passed
By Arnab, Gaea News NetworkWednesday, March 10, 2010
NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The turmoil among the Indian political parties about the much disputed women reservation bill seems to have calmed down after the UPA government braved to get it passed in the Rajya Sabha yesterday. It was a historic moment as the bill had created a rift among the partners in the ruling coalition government. The government has made it clear that it wants to get the bill passed in Lok Sabha too within a deadline of March 16. PK Bansal, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister affirmed this news. As per the bill, one third seats in state legislatures and the parliament will be reserved for women. Some of the allies of the ruling government like the TMC is miffed over the issue but M Veerappa Moily, the law minister said that the allies would be managed to see reason.
Sonia Gandhi was excited about the women reservation bill getting passed in the Rajya Sabha and it has to be admitted that she held her ground despite threats of pull out and agitation by allies as well as opposition parties. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also echoed her view and said that it is a celebration of womanhood. Yesterday 7 opposing MPs belonging to parties like Rashtriya Janata Dal, Lok Janshakti Party and Samajwadi Party had to be forcibly removed by House marshals as they carried on shouting and prevented the bill from getting passed. The BSP MPs walked out in protest.
The women reservation bill has put the government in a tight spot but it is not likely to bow down to threats of the opponent parties. Sonia Gandhi said she will speak to Mamta Banerjee to pacify her.
