Women reservation bill could not be passed in Rajyasabha

It was women's day and Government of India wanted tpo pass the long awaited women reservation bill in the Rajyasabha, the upper house of Indian Parliament. This bill proposes 33 percent reservation for women in assembly and parliament seats.

The bill was first proposed in 1996 at the time of Devegouda. The bill could not be passed since then due to various problems. Most of the political parties were objecting this bill for their own reasons. Many of them wanted several amendments in the bill.

Finally main political parties in India came in to a consensus. Ruling party Indian national Congress, main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Communist party of India, Marxist (CPIM), Trinamul Congress and few other regional parties have decided to support the bill.

The ruling party had put this bill in the floor of Rajyasabha on the women's day. It was required support of 155 MPs in Rajyasabha to pass the bill with two third majority. The number in the floor was in favor despite opposition by Samajwadi party (SP) of Mulayam Singh YadavMulayam Singh Yadav Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of Lalu Prasad YadavLalu Prasad Yadav. Janata Dal United (JDU) had a divided opinion. Sharad yadav of the party was against the bill but Nitish KumarNitish Kumar, Chief Minister of Bihar was in favor.

The bill was put but the Rajyasabha was adjourned before passing the bill. Brinda KaratBrinda Karat, CPI(M) has put an allegation top the ruling party that they are not serious in passing the bill.

The BJP has issued fresh whip to its members of parliament to support the bill.