Tuesday, August 9 2005 20:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: As part of its ongoing effort to evolve a consensus on Women's Reservation Bill, Government today (Aug 9, 2005) held consultations with leaders of several political parties on the issue.

A Group of Ministers (GoM) led by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee spoke to B J Panda (BJD), Anant Geete (SS), Praful Patel (NCP), Debabrata Bisws (FB), Sharad Yadav (JD-U), Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa (Akali Dal), A Ramadoss (PMK), C Krishanan (MDMK), Abani Roy (RSP) and Brajakishore Tripathy (BJD).

Besides Mukherjee, Home Minister Shivraj Patil and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who are in the GoM, were also present during the consultations.

The GoM has been asked by UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the issue with all major political parties to bring about an understanding so as to introduce the Bill during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament.