BJP stumps govt, seeks debate on women's bill

This change in stand forced govt to postpone voting

GN Bureau | March 8, 2010



The main opposition Bhartiya Janata Party put brakes to the Congress plan of getting the women's reservation bill passed in the Rajya Sabha, asserting that a constitution amendment could not be disposed of without a debate.

Even while declaring that the BJP wants the bill passed as women's reservation was originally the BJP's idea, party spokesman S S Ahluwalia told reporters that there were set norms for a constitution amendment bill and his party was not ready to compromise on these.

Earlier, his colleague and leader of opposition Arun Jaitley had said there should be transparency in government's business and this called for a debate on the bill being sought to passed in the house.

The party's stand was quickly announced when it was learnt that the Congress wanted a voting on the bill at 6 pm.

The BJP also indicated that it may not vote if voting on the bill was not preceded by a debate.

Meanwhile the prime minister has cancelled an all-party meet he had conveyened at 6.15 pm to sort out the mess as a few members belinging to the Samajwadi Party and RJD have paralysed parliament to protest their opposition to the quota bill. The meeting has been rescheduled for noon tomorrow.
 

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