Mulayam opposes Women’s Reservation Bill in its “present form”

July 27th, 2009 JAIPUR - The sit-in organised by the Gujjar Reservation Action Committee to build pressure on the Rajasthan Government to get the pending ST reservation bill cleared, continued for the second day on Monday. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has renewed his invitation to Gujjar leader Kirodi Singh Bainsla to resume talks with the government.

June 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti Monday wrote to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat urging him to ask the BJP to seek reservation for women from the backward classes in the women's quota bill. Uma Bharti, who formed her breakaway Bharatiya Jan Shakti party, said the BJP should not support the bill in its present form and it should "seek reservation within reservation" for those from the backward classes.

June 14th, 2009 VARANASI - The contentious Women's Reservation Bill will see the light of day during the 15th Lok Sabha, Speaker Meira Kumar told reporters here on Sunday. "That a woman has been elected as Speaker is an indication that the Women's Bill could be passed in the 15th Lok Sabha," Kumar said.

June 11th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Senior BJP functionary Vinay Katiyar said on Thursday that the Bill on women's reservation was not acceptable to him. He opposed the present structure of Women's Reservation Bill, saying that, if passed, it will benefit only a few.

June 9th, 2009 NEW DELHI - RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav on Tuesday opposed the present structure of Women's Reservation Bill, saying it is aimed at preventing the political progress of backward sections and would "finish" regional parties. "Mulayam Singh had said there was a conspiracy (in bringing the bill in its present form) and I am now exposing it," the RJD chief said in the Lok Sabha.

June 8th, 2009 AMRITSAR - Agitated activists owing allegiance to Punjab Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee (PPMCC) blocked roads and chanted slogans in Amritsar on Monday to protest against various politicians who were opposing the Women's Reservation bill in the parliament. Sharad Yadav, chief of Janata Dal (United) had threatened to consume poison if the Women Reservation Bill is passed in the parliament in its present form.

June 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Days after President Pratibha Patil declared the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in parliament as one of the top priorities of the government, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav Monday opposed the bill saying that its passage would invite an agitation. Mulayam Singh, who argued for the provision of reservation for women from the backward classes and minorities in parliament, warned of an agitation if the bill was passed in its present form.

June 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Union Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation and Tourism minister Kumari Selja on Monday sought support of all political parties for Women Reservation Bill, saying it would help in empowering the women fraternity across the country. "The Women Reservation Bill must be passed.

June 8th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Supporting the contention of Janata Dal (U) chief Sharad Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Monday also opposed the Women's Reservation Bill in its present form. Yadav said he was not against greater participation of women in politics but it should be done through consensus.

June 7th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav got company in former Bharatiya Janata Party leader Uma Bharati, who has also decided to oppose the Women's Reservation Bill in its present form. "When I heard the President's speech on television that within 100 days, the Women Reservation Bill will be passed, then my party and I decided that we will oppose the bill in its present form," Uma Bharati, the Bharatiya Janashakti Party chief in the national capital.

June 6th, 2009 NEW DELHI - After threatening to consume poison if the Women's Reservation Bill is passed Janata Dal (U) chief Sharad Yadav on Saturday demanded a separate quota for backward castes to be included in the Women's Bill. "I am not asking for a reservation of 33 per cent (for women), it could be even 50 per cent.

June 5th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Senior Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav and member of Lok Sabha on Friday threatened to consume poison in the House if the Women Reservation Bill was passed in its present form. "We may not have the numbers but I will consume poison and die here but not allow the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill," Sharad Yadav said in Parliament.

June 5th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Adopting an aggressive stand in his opposition to the Women's Reservation Bill, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) chief Sharad Yadav Friday threatened he would "consume poison" in parliament if it was passed in its present form. If the Women's Reservation Bill is passed I will consume poison and die here but not allow the passage of bill," he said in the Lok Sabha.

June 4th, 2009 NEW DELHI - After President Pratibha Patil declared that the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in the parliament is among the top ten priorities of Prime Minister Manamohan Singh's government, women politicians are hopeful that their 14-year-old demand will be fulfilled soon. "Women have been waiting for this since the last fourteen years.

April 11th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, who unveiled his party's manifesto for the Lok Sabha polls here Saturday, said the party will ensure that India has stronger ties with Pakistan and Bangladesh if a government is formed with its support. 'The Samajwadi Party will focus on increasing security at the borders and ensuring that India has better policies with regard to neighbours like Pakistan and Bangladesh so that the three countries develop together,' Mulayam Singh said at a press conference.