|
Fresh question mark over Women's Bill
Want healthy debate before going ahead: Moily
New Delhi, Mar 8 (PTI)
The failure to get the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha
today has raised a question mark over the fate of the controversial
legislation. It is highly unlikely that the Bill could be pushed
ahead immediately in the wake of government failing to ensure its
passage in on the International Women's Day, said a Left leader who
declined to be identified. Left leaders said the Congress leadership
appeared to be worried over the impact of the absence of quota would
have on Muslims and OBCs, on which the opponents have launched a
massive campaign.
Added to this was the stand of Trinamool Congress leader Mamata
Banerjee who is said to be holding similar views. The government's
strategy of pushing through the Bill at 1800 hours without debate
also suffered a setback when BJP and Left parties wanted a debate
since it was a constitution amendment Bill. Another Left leader
Sitaram Yechury of CPI(M) said the government failed to "think
through" the consequences of the measure, leading to a situation
that the government suddenly developed cold feet over the numbers it
had in ensuring passage of money bills and the Budget. Left leaders
said it was an irony that a government that had come back to power
with a good majority was already counting numbers in less than ten
months of the elections. The announcement by the Yadav duo of
Mulayam singh Yadav of SP and Lalu Prasad of RJD early in the day
that they would withdraw support to the government had a dampening
effect on government managers. Faced with strident opposition from
the Samajwadi Party and RJD over the Women's Reservation Bill,
government today said it does not want to "bulldoze" the
Constitutional amendment and would favour a healthy debate before
going ahead with it. After a day of high drama in Rajya Sabha where
the Bill was moved for consideration, Law Minister Veerappa Moily
slammed the Opposition parties for the way they protested against
it. "It is a Constitutional amendment Bill. It is not an
ordinary bill so that is why the process has to go on and we don't want
to bulldoze it. That is why it is slated for tomorrow," Moily, who
had piloted the Bill in Rajya Sabha, told reporters. He said the
government was all for discussion on the Bill. "You cannot bulldoze
it, there should be a discussion," the minister added. "It was an
uncalled for 'tamasha' (drama) by the Opposition. It is a democratic
process and that too a Constitutional amendment. I am unhappy about
the way they protested. There are proper methods to show
discontent," he pointed out.
When told that the Opposition was blaming the government for its
lack of will, Moily said, "it is the perception of the Opposition
and I don't want to comment on it. I have moved it in the Rajya
Sabha for a healthy debate and the Bill is the property of that
House now."
at least 165 MPs now. |
