New Delhi: Bowing to pressure from Opposition as well as three key National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies, government on May 6 agreed to defer consideration of the controversial Women's Reservation Bill "for the time being" in Lok Sabha, as an all-party meeting on the issue failed to reach unanimity.

The decision to defer the 85th Constitution Amendment Bill seeking 33 per cent reservation of seats for women in Lok Sabha and state Assemblies was announced by Speaker Manohar Joshi after the House had witnessed pandemonium, with Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) repeatedly storming the Well during Question Hour.

Joshi told the agitated members that the all-party meeting convened by him after the House was adjourned for two hours failed to evolve unanimity and it was decided that another meeting be called to discuss the matter.

The consideration of the Bill has been "deferred for the time being", Joshi said amid thumping of desks by all those opposing the Bill, including members from Samata Party, Janata Dal-U and Shiv Sena, all allies of the ruling NDA.

PTI