Date:06/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/06/stories/2008050660391000.htm

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Congress ready to convene all-party meeting

Gargi Parsai

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Monday asserted that the government would make all efforts to carry along its allies on the Women’s Reservation Bill. If necessary, an all-party meeting too would be convened.

Criticising the opposition to the Bill on the ground that there should be a sub-quota [for backward classes and minorities], party spokesman Manish Tewari pointed out that parties which opposed exclusion of the creamy layer in the OBC quota were asking for it when it came to quota for women.

“The fact is that people do have reservations on the Bill. It is strange that on one hand, in the case of OBC reservation, some parties are saying that the creamy layer should be included, but on the other hand, on the Women’s Reservation Bill, they want the creamy layer to be excluded.”

Mr. Tewari said that even if there was no consensus on the Bill — which the Congress was striving for — it should remain alive on the floor of the House.

“We do not want the Bill to lapse. There will be another attempt to evolve a consensus. The UPA is trying to build a general consensus with its allies. If necessary, an all-party meeting too would be called,” he said.

According to him the priority for now was to get the “macro-measure” through. Any deficiencies could be addressed later.

“There is no need for caveats regarding quotas within quotas at inception. The Congress will attempt to see that the Bill is tabled with a larger support.”