March 8, 2010 7:56 PM

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Discussion on Women Bill deferred till Tuesday due to protests by Opposition

The Rajya Sabha will take up for discussion and passage the Women Reservation Bill tomorrow. The discussion on the Bill was deferred today following stiff opposition from SP and RJD on the issue.<br/> Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned 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.<br/> The Bill was moved for consideration in the Rajya Sabha by the Law Minister Mr 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 tomorrow.<br/> With unruly scenes continuing in the two houses, the Prime Minister convened a meeting of the parties supporting the bill. Later talking to reporters, the BJP leader, Mr. S.S. Ahluwalia said that the leaders of opposition in the Lok Sabha Mrs. Sushma Swaraj and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mr. Arun Jaitley have told Prime Minister that the party is in favour of a discussion on the constitutional amendment before it is taken up for voting.<br/> Left leader, D. Raja told after the meeting that they want the Parliamentary practices to be protected and get the bill passed. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Mrs Sushma Swaraj and CPIM leader Brinda Karat charged the government of a faliure in managing the floor.<br/> Earlier, the RJD and Samajwadi Party announced that they will withdraw outside support to the UPA government to register their protest against the bill.<br/> The 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.<br/> The RJD President, Lalu Prasad stuck to his party stand on the issue.<br/> Meanwhile, Congress today 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.<br/> AIR correspondents reports that the top leaders of the ruling alliance are holding discussions on the strategy to be adopted for the 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.<br/>

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