Mulayam opposes Women's Bill

The Samajwadi Party today opposed the proposed Women's Reservation Bill, terming it as a "conspiracy" against the leaders who have reached the Lok Sabha through "hard struggles" and warned of people's movement if the UPA pushes the legislation.

SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, whose party is supporting the government from outside, backed the contention of JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav that if the bill was passed without a consensus, it would amount to giving "poison by force" by the ruling class to those opposed to the legislation as had been done to Greek philosopher Socrates.

Participating in the debate on Motion of Thanks to the President's Address in the Lok Sabha, Yadav said he was not against greater participation of women in politics but it should be done through consensus.

He sought to reach out to the BJP, JD(U), RJD and Left, seeking their support to stall the bill which provides for 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and Assemblies.

"The bill is dangerous for the leadership of Lok Sabha ... It is a conspiracy...It would finish the leadership," Yadav said.
Elaborating, he said leaders like L K Advani, M M Joshi, Sharad Yadav and Lalu Prasad had not reached the present state in a day but through "hard struggles".