From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Sep 19: Former chief minister and JD(S) leader has warmly appreciated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the government’s decision for introducing the Women’s Reservation Bill in parliament.
“The historic decision for 33% quota for women was introduced in Rajya Sabha on September 12, 1996 by the then Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda,’’ he said and pointed out that the bill could not be passed because of the opposition of some of the United Front partner parties.
The JD(S) leader pointed out that some of the parties in the INDIA opposition alliance were responsible for obstructing the long-overdue law on 33% quota for women in parliament and State legislatures.
"I am happy that Deve Gowda’s dream is coming to fruition after 27 years when he is a member of Rajya Sabha,’’ Kumaraswamy said.
The JD(S) leader pointed out that his father and the then chief minister Deve Gowda had ushered in a golden chapter by ensuring that women were granted reservation benefits in all local bodies in 1995. "The historical and revolutionary step had taken the entire country by surprise,’’ he said.
Kumaraswamy said he has no doubt that the women’s quota bill will be passed in both houses of Parliament.
“Conferring the benefits of 33% reservation to women in Parliament and State legislatures is the need of the hour and a historical necessity as women constitute 50% of the total population,’’ he added.