BHUBANESWAR: The Women Reservation Bill that seeks 33 per cent reservation of seats in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies for women has got a fillip after Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said on Monday that the day is not far when women will get due representation in the country’s legislatures.
The legislation had been passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2010 but lapsed after the Lok Sabha did not clear it.
The Vice President’s comment has sparked speculation that the Women’s Reservation Bill may be moved during the forthcoming special session of Parliament that is sitting from September 18 to September 22. The buzz over the women’s reservation bill which might be taken up in the special session of Parliament has also heated up the political atmosphere in Odisha.
Earlier, the ruling BJD in Odisha had demanded 33 percent reservation of seats for women in the Parliament and Assembly. Even if there is no provision of 33 percent reservation for women, the party has backed its stance by sending the required number of women members to the Parliament. Moreover, making its stance clearer on the issue, the ruling party in Odisha has demanded that the Women's Reservation Bill should be constitutionally approved in the special session of the Parliament.
The Odisha state BJP unit stated that the party has always reserved 33 percent of seats for women in their organizational structure. Moreover, the party will try its best to extend the reservation system for women in the Parliament and Assembly as well.
“The BJP always gives importance to women leaders in its organisational setup. The party is looking forward to seeing many more women in the top leadership positions in the coming days,” said BJP leader, Aiswarya Biswal.
Congress has also thrown its weight behind the Women’s Reservation Bill. However, the party criticized the BJP for not having the political will.
“Congress has always supported the Women’s Reservation Bill. Another great opportunity has arrived to give justice to the women in the special session of the Parliament. But the question is why a government with an absolute majority had allowed the bill to lapse earlier?” asked Congress leader Sasmita Behera.
