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All-party meet on Women's Bill Thursday

Lok Sabha Speaker G M C Balayogi has convened an all-party meeting on Thursday in a bid to evolve a consensus on the Women's Reservation Bill, which has met with stiff opposition from the Samajwadi Party, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Bahujan Samaj Party.

The government intends to move the controversial constitution amendment bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee will attend the meeting.

"Government would strive for consensus on the issue. But in the absence of a consensus, it would go ahead with the consideration of the Bill in the post-lunch business in the Lok Sabha tomorrow,'' Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan told reporters in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Maintaining that Thursday's meeting has been convened at the speaker's initiative, Mahajan said former prime minister Chandrashekhar has been requested to attend it as a special invitee.

Opposition Leader in the Lok Sabha Sonia Gandhi and leaders of all other major parties are expected to attend the meeting.

''This is one more attempt to create consensus on the women's reservation issue and the government will act according to the decision taken at the meeting,'' he said.

Replying to a question, he said the meeting could also consider the suggestion of the Election Commission to give greater representation to women within political parties by amending the Representation of People Act.

PTI

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