Congress under pressure to back or block Women’s Reservation Bill

New Delhi: Congress Working Committee will meet on Friday to discuss the party's stand on the government plan to bring a bill in Parliament next week to amend the Women's Reservation Act to delink its implementation from the next census and delimitation exercise.

The Opposition party had earlier tried to delay the bill related to the politically sensitive women's quota by urging the government to discuss the matter after the ongoing elections in some states. With the government sticking to its plan and scheduling a sitting of Parliament from April 16 to take up the bill, Congress has to take a formal call on the matter.

Since the bill for amending the constitutional Act would require a two-thirds majority of the two Houses, the Opposition support is necessary to get the legislation through. While the government can take most of the credit if the bill is passed and blame the Opposition if it falls through, Congress will need to take a considered view, keeping in mind the women population as well the views of other Opposition parties.


Some sections of the leadership feel the party can insist on seeking more time on the matter by alleging the government is trying to score electoral points on the women's quota by rushing the bill right ahead of the West Bengal and Tamil Nadu elections. Others, however, advocate a cautious view given the sensitivity of women voters.

The Congress Working Committee meeting may also witness a discussion on the West Asia war, an issue on which various party leaders have aired different views.