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Women Bill Introduced in RS for Voting

Following two days of drama and nine adjournments, the historic Women’s Reservation Bill has been eventually put to vote in the Rajya Sabha, said media reports.

The BJP, which already extended its support to the legislation, protested that government went ahead with moving the bill without a debate, reports said.

Then chairman Hamid Ansari permitted BJP member and Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley to open the debate on the Bill, said reports.

Stating BJP supported the bill, Jaitley, however, showed his opposition to the way in which the central government put it to vote without any discussion, reports said.

“I appeal to all those opposing the women reservation bill to re-think their stand; several countries have given reservation to women. About 15 years from now we will realise that this bill was quite successful in giving representation to women. At present there is no provision of any reservation in Parliament except for SC and ST,” Jaitley was quoted as saying.

“We are going to make a history by passing this bill. I support this law but also condemn what happened in the House today. Those opposing the bill should also be given a chance to vote against this bill. Those who oppose the bill should allow the house to be run smoothly,” he was quoted as saying while concluding his speech.

Terming bill as historic, Congress MP Jayanti Natarajan thanked party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for introducing the bill, said reports.

“I want to thank Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister and the entire UPA for bringing this historic legislation to vote. No party could do this for 60 years. The Congress President and the Prime Minister have fulfilled their promise,” Jayanthi was quoted as saying.

Besides, she apologized for the scenes witnessed earlier in the House when marshals had to be called in to evict seven suspended MPs.

Earlier on Tuesday, furious at the continuous disruptions over the Women’s Reservation Bill, Ansari suspended the seven opposition MPs for the remaining part of the session and adjourned the House till 1500 hrs IST. But the MPs continued to sit near his podium.

When the House reconvened at 1500 hrs IST after two adjournments, marshals were called in and the MPs were forcefully evicted from the Rajya Sabha.

(Based on internet reports)

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