NEW DELHI: The euphoria over women’s reservation bill may be shortlived with sharp divisions emerging in BJP over the legislation. The resentment building in BJP’s Lok Sabha group is certain to embolden vocal critics on the ‘social justice’ side and silent opponents in other parties to place more roadblocks.
That there are several hurdles to be cleared for the passage of the bill in the Lok Sabha was evident when a section of BJP MPs on Wednesday attacked the legislation and threatened to go to the extent of defying the whip in the House. These MPs are also of the view that the party walked into the Congress trap as one of the drivers for presenting the bill now was to divide the Opposition ranks. “We should also not have supported the bundling out of MPs by marshals in the Rajya Sabha,” a senior party leader said.
Although MPs belonging to parties supporting the Bill have been feigning their backing, there is unease over the legislation as it would deny 181 MPs the chance to get re-elected next time. Besides, at least 10% MPs are in any case denied tickets by their respective parties.
It was Ms Sonia Gandhi’s determination that forced the government leadership to fall in line. Barring a few ministers like Mukul Wasnik, there were not many vocal supporters for the bill even in Congress. Of course, they have been couching their view in the need to avoid confrontation with supporting parties. As a matter of fact, Mr Manmohan Singh’s admirers even charged the Congress leadership of using the Bill “to disempower the prime minister and UPA allies.”
Congress ally Mamata Banerjee has almost brought her party’s stand on the issue in line with that of the two Yadav leaders by supporting a Muslim quota within the larger 33%. Her party leaders have been citing unrest among Muslims to justify their lack of enthusiasm for the bill in its present form.
With Ms Banerjee seeking more consultations on the bill and the Muslim leadership coming out against the bill, the government would also like to see how the issue plays out in the coming days. Congress cannot afford to anger Muslim opinion as its revival in many areas is dependent on winning back the minority community.
In the event of the bill becoming a law, close to 50% will be go into the reserved category. Muslim leaders argue that the proposed law will only come in the way of minority representation in the Lok Sabha. Ms Mamata Banerjee subscribe to this viewpoint. Congress leaders on Wednesday said Ms Sonia Gandhi will be meeting Ms Banerjee to allay her misgivings.
All these factors have put question marks over the bills fate in the Lok Sabha. Congress in any case is not planning to bring it in the lower house before the recess that begins on March 17. The recess period could see anti-bill sections intensifying their campaign against the legislation.
