March 10, 2010 9:42 AM

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Rajya Sabha passes Women's Reservation Bill with thumping majority

The Rajya Sabha created history on Tuesday by passing the Women's Reservation Bill by an overwhelming majority to reserve one third of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.<br/><br/>Out of the 187 members present in the House, 186 voted for the Bill and one against. The Rajya Sabha Chairman, Mr. Mohd.<br/><br/>UPA ally Trinamool Congress abstained from voting. BSP staged a walkout before voting.<br/><br/>Earlier, seven MPs of SP, RJD and LJP were suspended and evicted from the House for their unruly behavior, a rare event for the House of elders. With the support from the Opposition BJP and the Left and some others, UPA got a clear majority to pass the Bill.<br/><br/>The Bill seeks to reserve for Women 181 of the 543 seats in the Lok Sabha and 1370 seats out of 4109 in the 28 State Assemblies. These will be reserved for a period of 15 years on a rotational basis once the Bill becomes a Law.

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