Rahul to Capt: Pass women quota resolution in House

New Delhi, December 9

A unanimous resolution by the Odisha Assembly urging the Centre to pass the Women’s Reservation Bill today led Rahul Gandhi to ask Congress-led states to follow suit. 

In a letter urging Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and CMs of Congress-ruled states and those where the party is in ruling alliance, party president Rahul Gandhi asked for resolutions to be passed regarding one-third reservation for women in Assemblies and Parliament.

Odisha Assembly was the first to pass the resolution on November 20. Citing it, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging for passage of the pending law.

Gandhi said detractors of the quota Bill have been proved wrong in the past by the way women have handled Panchayati Raj Institutions after the 73rd and the 74th amendments.

“While Indian women have made rapid strides in all spheres, they continue to be severely under-represented in Parliament and Assemblies. India ranks 148th out of 193 countries in terms of percentage of women in Parliament,” Gandhi wrote. 

Recalling Rajya Sabha passing the Constitution 108th Amendment Bill in 2010 and the Bill subsequently lapsing after the dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha, Gandhi said the Congress and several other parties had called on the PM to ensure the passage of the Bill and pledged support.

Meanwhile, a host of political leaders led by PM Narendra Modi, today wished UPA chief Sonia Gandhi on her birthday as she turned 72. A delegation of the DMK also called on her. — TNS