BJP says govt intention on women's bill suspect

A cornered government faced flak from the BJP which on Monday sought to make political capital out of its failure to get Women's Reservation Bill passed in Rajya Sabha by accusing it of developing a cold feet after SP and RJD threatened to withdraw support.

A cornered government faced flak from the BJP which on Monday sought to make political capital out of its failure to get Women's Reservation Bill passed in Rajya Sabha by accusing it of developing a cold feet after SP and RJD threatened to withdraw support.

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Both BJP and CPI(M) said the government should have convened an all-party meeting on the issue earlier.

"I go back today evening with a distinct impression that the intention of the government is suspect. This government has developed cold feet," Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said, adding, that "unless something spectacular happens tomorrow" the bill is not likely to be passed.

He referred to threat of withdrawal of outside support by SP and RJD, saying, "It is obvious the government majority is shaky and this weak government is lacking in will-power."

When it was pointed out that Law Minister Veerappa Moily has assured that the Bill will come up for discussion tomorrow as well, Jaitley said government may have listed it only as a formality but it was clear from its attitude that it has lost steam and is back-tracking despite opposition support.

Jaitley said passing such an important legislation without discussion was not possible as it was a "question of the legitimacy of the Bill and Parliament, and this would be akin to making a mockery of Parliament".