Consensus on Women’s Bill: Dump it

Although Malhotra gave the impression that consensus had been arrived at on the double-member proposal — i.e convert one-third of constituencies to double-member seats that would elect a man and woman each — other leaders indicated that this was not the case.

Mulayam Singh Yadav, who along with Laloo Prasad Yadav and Sharad Yadav, has consistently opposed the Bill since it was first introduced in 1996, told reporters that the Election Commission’s proposal making it mandatory for political parties to reserve tickets for women was the best option. Instead of reserving fixed constituencies for women, it should be left to parties to give more tickets to them, he said. But even here, he was against a quota of 33 per cent. ‘‘I was earlier for 10 per cent and now I have come up to 15 per cent and we are ready to go up to 20 per cent if necessary. But not more than that,’’ he said.

Shivraj Patil was reluctant to divulge the details of the discussions but ruled out his party’s support for the Mulayam-backed EC proposal.

He said if it was left to parties to field ‘‘lady candidates’’ in particular seats, then the opposition would field stronger male candidates and get the ‘‘ladies’’ defeated. When pointed out that Indira Gandhi, Mayawati, Mamata Banerjee and Jayalalitha had defeated male candidates, he said they were exceptions.

Patil also hinted that the Congress was not averse to the idea of double-member consituencies or increasing the size of the House in order to meet twin objectives — 33 per cent women representation and no reduction in the existing number of “general” ( non-reserved) seats.

On logistical problems arising from a one-third hike in membership, Patil said this was a minor issue — if necessary, the Lok Sabha could shift to the Central Hall and the Rajya Sabha to the Lok Sabha.