The passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha has been widely welcomed. Congress President Sonia Gandhi said she is happy and relieved that the bill was passed by the Upper House. She said, government had decided to take the huge risk as it involved the larger issue of empowering women. Mrs Gandhi said the government is committed to ensuring 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies and as a "natural corollary", the next step of bringing the bill in Lok Sabha will be taken. Talking to a private News Channel Mrs Sonia Gandhi expressed gratitude to the BJP, Left parties and her coalition partners for extending support to the bill Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said that the joy for the passage of the Bill would have been more if the unprecedented and unruly scenes would not have taken place. CPIM leader Brinda Karat, while expressing happiness also demanded that the Bill should be brought for consideration of the Lok Sabha immediately. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said that the passage of the bill reflects Congress Party's commitment to empowerment of women. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said the formal process for listing the Bill in the Lower House may take some time. Describing it a historic event, Home Minister P. Chidambaram expressed hope that the Opposition will extend similar cooperation when the bill is taken up in the Lok Sabha. Congress Spokesperson Jayanthi Natarajan expressed optimism that the Government would be able to talk to dissenting allies and get the Bill passed in the Lok Sabha. Union Minister and National Conference President Farooq Abdullah termed it a milestone in the history of Indian democracy. Former Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhary said, "the Bill is something which is benefiting more than 50 per cent of the population. Expelled Samajwadi Party MP Jaya Prada, said the bill has crossed one step and she is looking forward to pass the Bill in Lok Sabha also. Terming it a "turning point", Member of Planning Commission Sayeeda Hameed said the fight has been on for the last 20 years. AIR Correspondent reports that cutting across party lines, Women MPs expressed joy on the passage of the Bill. Congress President Mrs Sonia Gandhi's residence reverberated with celebrations.