March 8, 2010 7:01 PM

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Parliament fails to debate Women's Reservation Bill; Both Houses adjourned amidst ruckus

Both Houses of Parliament were rocked today on the Women's Reservation Bill issue following stiff opposition by the RJD and Samajwadi Party. This led to adjournment of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha for the day.<br/> The constitutional amendment bill providing for 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies was moved for consideration in the Rajya Sabha after two adjournments by the Law Minister, Mr. Veerappa Moily amidst noise and unprecedented unruly scenes by SP and RJD members.<br/> The discussion on the bill could not be taken up following pandemonium which led to repeated adjournments. The Lok Sabha was also adjourned for the day at 4.00 PM after repeated adjournments.<br/> With unruly scenes continuing in the two Houses, the Prime Minister convened a meeting of leaders of the parties supporting the bill. Later talking to newsmen, the BJP leader, Mr. S.S. Ahluwalia said that the leaders of opposition in the Lok Sabha Mrs. Sushma Swaraj and Mr. Arun Jaitley in the Rajya Sabha have told Prime Minister that the party is in favour of a discussion on the constitutional amendment before it is taken up fro voting.<br/> Mr. Ahluwalia accused the government of not taking the BJP into confidence for the passage of the bill.<br/> Left leader, D. Raja told after the meeting that they want the Parliamentary practices to be protected and get the bill passed. CPIM leader Brinda Karat charged the government of not having a proper strategy and not consulting the opposition parties supporting the bill.<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. This assumes importance in the wake of announcement of withdrawal of support by RJD and SP and BJP insisting on the debate ahead of the passage of the bill.<br/> 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. RJD has four members and Samajwadi Party 22 in the House of 544.<br/>

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