M A I N   N E W S

Jittery UPA not to bulldoze its way
Bill to be discussed today
Anita Katyal
Our Political Correspondent

New Delhi, March 8
Despite day-long desperate behind-the-scenes deliberations with the parties, the UPA deferred by a day its plans for the passage of the women’s reservation Bill today when it realised there would be no let-up in the violence witnessed in Rajya Sabha. Known detractors of the Bill - the RJD and the SP - publicly declared their decision to withdraw support to the ruling combine if it pressed ahead with the vote on this controversial legislation.

The government, it is learnt, was prepared to pass the Bill without a discussion but backtracked after the BJP and some of its own members disagreed, saying it would be improper to vote on an important Constitution amendment Bill in such a manner.

Justifying the move, Law Minister Veerappa Moily said: “A Bill of such importance cannot be bulldozed even though we have the numbers to pass it”. The BJP also endorsed this view. “To pass a monumental Bill like this without a discussion will deprive it of legitimacy,” said BJP leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley. The same reason was cited when it was suggested that the Bill be taken up after suspending members who were disrupting proceedings.

The government was also pushed into deferring the vote as it was worried that important financial business could be derailed if it persisted with the quota Bill. The ruling combine was further cornered when Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee also expressed her reservations over rushing through the Bill in the teeth of such strong opposition and called for wider consultations while a large number of Muslim MPs also conveyed their apprehension to the government that the Bill would further diminish their representation in legislatures.

For the record, however, the government maintained it would list the Bill for discussion tomorrow. “The Bill will be placed on the agenda tomorrow. We appeal to all parties to pass it as it is a progressive step for the empowerment of women,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister PK Bansal said after the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day.

But given the day’s developments, it is unlikely to be taken up for passage. “It will be business as usual. The House is expected to discuss the Rail Budget tomorrow,” remarked a senior BJP leader.

The Congress core committee, headed by party president Sonia Gandhi, met today to decide on its options and strategy.