Govt, Oppn pass the buck on women?s Bill

The Govt and the Opposition indulged in a blame-game over the fate of the women's reservation bill and the Fernandes boycott issue.

The Government and the Opposition indulged in a blame-game over the fate of the women's reservation bill and the George Fernandes boycott issue.

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Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj initially blamed the Congress and the Left for not backing the proposal to “remove'' the opponents of the women's bill to ensure its passage in the Lok Sabha.

Swaraj later admitted the BJP was against the idea since allies like the Shiv Sena are against it.

Congress spokesperson Jaipal Reddy blamed the government for its lack of will in pushing the Bill.

Swaraj said the a revamped bill could be brought later if the Speaker evolved a consensus on it at the June 16 meeting. The Speaker rejected the CPI-M’s demand for a special session on it. There was a dichotomy in views also on the boycott issue.