Wednesday, August 24 2005 16:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Seeking provision of reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures at the earliest, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Khazhagam (AIADMK) supremo and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today (Aug 24, 2005) suggested revival of double member constituencies for providing 33.33 per cent reservation for women, without increasing the number of seats.

Within the 33.33 per cent reservation for women, a separate quota for Backward Classes and Dalits should be created, she told a press conference in Chennai.

This should be done without increasing the existing number of Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies, she said.

"Reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures should be done at the earliest as it is long overdue," she said.

The AIADMK was committed to the idea of reservation for women, she said.

On Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP's) charge that the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government was deliberately delaying the reservation issue in the name of consensus, she said, 'I do not know about it. All political parties should co-operate for an early passage of the Women Reservation Bill as they get the women votes', Jayalalithaa, one of the three present women Chief Ministers of the country, said.

Asked whether it was possible to create double member constituencies in Rajya Sabha and legislative councils, Jayalalithaa shot back 'Why not. It is possible'.

She said the double member constituencies should be rotated to ensure that a particular constituency would not become a permanent double member constituency.

'" want reservation for women at any cost at the earliest. That is why I suggest revival of double member constituencies," she said.