New Delhi: Congress, Left parties and opposition BJP today welcomed the introduction of a bill in the Rajya Sabha proposing 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures but the Samajwadi Party said it will oppose the measure.
SP members, who tore copies of the bill introduced by Law Minister H R Bhardwaj in the Upper House, said they would continue to oppose it till the deprived sections and minorities get their share of quota within the proposed 33 per cent reservation for women.
Describing the bill as an important measure to end gender bias, Bhardwaj said, "I am very happy it will lead to one third reservation for women. It is a landmark step in India's history."
Congress spokesman Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Other parties have talked about it but we have actually introduced the bill. We cleared it in the cabinet and introduced in the Rajya Sabha. Now the bill will not lapse." CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat said, "I congratulate the UPA for introducing the Women s Reservation Bill. I hope the government will ensure the passage of the bill in the same spirit in which it was introduced." Senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj told reporters here "I am happy that the bill is introduced and also happy that it is introduced in the Rajya Sabha because it will not lapse now."
Taking a swipe at opponents of the bill, she said "it is unfortunate that there is not even an iota of change in the mindset of some parties".
