Discuss quota for minorities, OBCs in women's bill later: Pawar

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday told the opponents of the Women's Reservation Bill to let the measure be passed in its present form and the issue of reservation for minorities and OBCs could be discussed later.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday told the opponents of the Women's Reservation Bill to let the measure be passed in its present form and the issue of reservation for minorities and OBCs could be discussed later.

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"There is no specific provision for minorities. Similarly, there is no specific provision for OBCs. So, let us pass the bill (in the Lok Sabha) now. Then we can sit and discuss all the issues," Pawar told reporters here.

Pawar and Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee are likely to initiate discussions with RJD chief Lalu Prasad, SP leader Mulayam Singh Yadav and JD(U) President Sharad Yadav, and leaders of parties like Shiv Sena, who are opposed to the Bill, during the inter-session period of the Budget session.

The Bill has already been passed in the Rajya Sabha but has not been introduced in the Lower House.