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Ready to back EC proposal on quota for women: BJP

NEW DELHI: Indicating a change in its stand on reservation for women in Assemblies and Parliament, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday said it was ready to back the Election Commission’s proposal of 33 per cent reservation for women in allotment of party ticket. At a press conference here, senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said that as there was no consensus on the issue for the past 11 years, the Commission’s proposal would find higher acceptability not only with the National Democratic Alliance but also with those forming part of the United Progressive Alliance.

“The proposal will resolve all the problems, including the fear of rotation and losing seats. It will not require a constitutional amendment as originally proposed and passage of legislation through simple majority would make the whole thing work,” she said.

Asked if this indicated a shift in the BJP’s stand from what was endorsed by the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Ms. Swaraj said this was the best possible option in the current scenario that comprises lack of consensus, conflict on the kind of reservation and what categories should be included.

The BJP had held talks with its allies and they were agreeable to the new proposal. Indications were that even the UPA allies would not create problems over the plan.

Ms. Swaraj said her party felt that legislation should be introduced during the Budget session and the Bill passed that period itself. This would facilitate women to get reservation in allotment of party ticket for the 2009 Lok Sabha election.

The party’s Mahila Morcha wing would hold a “Women’s Reservation rally” here on February 21 to press for endorsement of the new proposal. It would be addressed by national leaders of the party.

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