Congress, BJP issue whip on women's bill

New Delhi, Mar 5 (PTI) The Congress and Bhartiya
Janata Party Friday issued a three-line whip to their members
for backing the women's reservation bill coming up in the
Rajya Sabha, Upper House, on Monday but the Opponents are
bracing up for a fight to stall the legislation hanging fire
for 13 years.

The 71-Member of Parliament strong ruling Congress
is determined to push ahead with the Constitution amendment
bill on Monday in the Rajya Sabha, which has an effective
strength of 233, coinciding with the International Women's
Day.
However, the numbers are stacked against the
opponents of the bill which is seen as an attempt by the
Congress to break the Opposition unity over issues of price
rise and fuel price hike.
The BJP, which has 45 members, and the Left parties
(22) have already declared their support to the legislation
that seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in
Lok Sabha and Assemblies. The Left parties are expected to
issue similar whips to their members.
The Opponents to the measure, who number 26 in the
House, have declared "war" against the legislation. Samajwadi
Party Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav and Rashtriya Janata Dal Chief
Lalu Prasad stuck to their opposition to the bill in its
present form and demanded quota within quota for backward and
Mulism women.
Mayawati-headed Bahujan Samaj Party, which 12 MPs,
has kept its cards close to the chest. The party will meet in
Lucknow tomorrow to finalise its strategy on the issue, BSP MP
Brajesh Pathak said. Government sources said they were
counting on the support of BSP.(More)PTI SPG
KAB


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