Don't have numbers to get Women's Bill passed in Parl: Cong

New Delhi: Various political parties Thursday came out in support of the Women’s Reservation Bill even as Congress expressed apprehension about its smooth passage in Parliament citing disruptions in the current session and saying it does not have the numbers to see it through. Some leaders also attacked Samajwadi Party and RJD for opposing provisions of the Bill, which seeks to give 33 percent reservation to women in Parliament and state assemblies, saying they were doing so despite claiming to be “disciples of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia”,who strongly supported socialist reform. [caption id=“attachment_1284791” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  The Bill, which seeks to give 33 percent reservation to women in Parliament and state assemblies. Reuters[/caption] Speaking at an event organised by women’s organisations to discuss the Bill, Congress MP Bhakt Charan Das said, “I do not think the Bill can come in this session. The government’s stand was that amongst the two or three important bills, the Women’s Reservation Bill, which has been passed in Rajya Sabha, should be passed in Lok Sabha.” “Today, the finance bill and railway budget was passed. It is possible that after tomorrow, Parliament session does not take place.” Das said the vote on account might take place in February but Parliament may not function then as well. “Two months later, there would be polls and even budget session will not take place..I don’t think it can get passed as government does not have the numbers. But if the atmosphere continues to be kept like this and wait till February, it is possible that a meeting with the Speaker can take place…it can be discussed and passed in one day,” he said. The Congress MP said his party fully supported the Bill and would garner support from other political parties as well when the Bill is discussed in Parliament. Meanwhile, JD(U) leader Shivanand Tiwari expressed surprise that most leaders of political parties opposing this Bill claimed to be “students of Ram Manohar Lohia”. “Mulayam Singh, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Sharadji are his disciples and they are the ones opposing it. It seems that they have deviated from the teachings of their ‘Guru’. Male dominating mentality has taken over them. We hope this Bill will be passed soon,” Tiwari said. PTI