‘It is ours’, says Sonia on Women’s Reservation Bill

The legislation was passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2010, but it could not be passed in the Lok Sabha and it lapsed following its dissolution in 2014.

New Delhi, Sep 19: Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday reacted to the Union Cabinet clearing the long-awaited Women’s Reservation Bill, saying “it is ours”.

Sonia Gandhi’s sharp reply came after she arrived at Parliament on Tuesday morning.When enquired about the Women’s Reservation Bill being brought in Parliament again, she said, “It is ours, apna hai.”Her remarks came a day after the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime MInister Narendra Modi approved the Constitution Amendment Bill to provide reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies — paving the way for the introduction of the historic bill in the ongoing special session of Parliament.

The Congress in the recently concluded two-day Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, the party’s highest decision making body, in its resolution has demanded the passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill in the Parliament Special Session.On Monday, Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP leader Supriya Sule, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded the passage of the Bill in the Special Session.

The legislation was passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2010, but it could not be passed in the Lok Sabha and it lapsed following its dissolution in 2014.