By IANS,
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is determined to ensure the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill, party president Nitin Gadkari Saturday said and appealed to all political parties to support the legislation as the Congress-led government “is in minority in parliament”.
The Rajya Sabha will consider the bill Monday.
Gadkari said the idea of the Women’s Reservation Bill was first mooted at the party’s National Council Meeting at Vadodara in 1995.
“The BJP is the only political party which has provided for 1/3rd reservation in the party organisation for women,” Gadkari said in a statement after the party’s core group meeting here.
“The core group unanimously decided to ensure the passage of the constitution amendment providing for one third women’s reservation in parliament and state assemblies for women,” the statement said.
“The BJP is determined to ensure the passage of this constitution amendment. The BJP has issued a whip to all members of the Rajya Sabha (to be present in the house) 8th March 2010,” he said.
“The BJP is conscious of the fact that the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) is in a minority in parliament. The BJP appeals to all political parties to support this bill,” Gadkari said.
The BJP has directed all its members to be present in the Rajya Sabha on Monday and ensure passage of the bill, it added.