Nitish admits sharp differences in JD (U) over women quota bill

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday admitted that sharp differences prevailed in the JD(U) over the Women's Reservation Bill, but ruled out any crisis or split facing the party.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday admitted that sharp differences prevailed in the JD(U) over the Women's Reservation Bill, but ruled out any crisis or split facing the party.

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"I admit there have been honest differences of opinion in the party over the support to the women's reservation bill in Lok Sabha...but it should not be taken as a crisis or split facing the party," Kumar told reporters here.

On a section of media suggesting that he might break away from the JD(U) and launch a new party, Kumar said, "I simply ignore such report."

"My point of view on the bill is quite crystal clear... Bihar is the first state which under the rule of NDA provided 50 per cent reservation to women in panchayati raj institutions and urban bodies," he said.

"Since the Centre and other states are adopting the decision of the state's NDA government for ensuring reservation to women, with the experience I received from the desires and aspirations of women running panchayati raj institutions and urban bodies effectively, I can never shy away from supporting a similar move by the Centre," he said.