All-party meet on Women's Bill soon

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MARCH 8. The Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, today gave the assurance that an all-party meeting would be held soon to discuss the introduction of the long-pending Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament.

Speaking at a tea party on the occasion of International Women's Day here, he said there was no need to create a quota within quota. On the demands made by several political parties, he said, ``some way out will have to be found.''

Mr. Vajpayee indicated that the effort would be to ensure that the bill was introduced in its present form rather than a diluted version to meet the demands of the parties.

He advised women activists who sought repeated assurances about the bill not to lose hope. The bill seeks to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the legislature.

The leader of the Opposition, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, however, expressed scepticism of Mr. Vajpayee's assurance as this was given in the past as well. Her party was keen on a majority vote and did not feel the need for creating a consensus, she said.

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