Nationalist Congress Party president Sharad Pawar on Sunday said he had asked Mulayam Singh, Lalu Prasad and Sharad Yadav not to stall the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, as their views on the quota for other backward classes (OBC) and minorities could be taken into consideration by the government.
“A combination… has emerged to oppose the Bill. I had a talk with them. I told them that the Bill could be amended to address their concerns in respect of the OBC and Muslim women. A reduction in the proposed 33 per cent reservation can be considered to arrive at a consensus,” Mr. Pawar said while speaking at the concluding session of the NCP's two-day national conclave at Karla, about 50 km from here.
Mr. Pawar said he told the SP, RJD and JD (U) leaders that they had the right to take a stand, but should not create hurdles in the smooth passage of the historic legislation.
He said Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had already assured the House that all parties would be taken into confidence by the government on the issue.
