PTI
 
New Delhi, May 7: Amidst high drama and protests, the much-awaited Bill to amend the Constitution to provide 33 percent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies was tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

Union Law Minister HR Bhardwaj introduced the Constitution (108th amendment) Bill, 2008, soon after the Rajya Sabha reassembled at noon. PJ Kurien, who was in the Chair, adjourned the House immediately after the introduction of the Bill. The Bill would now be referred to the standing committee by Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari.

To prevent the introduction of the Bill in the House, Samajwadi Party (SP) members tried to snatch the papers from the Union Law Minister. Members of the Janata Dal(United) supported the SP members and shouted slogans. Pandemonium prevailed in the House for sometime. The entire drama ended in a few minutes much to the relief of both the Government and agitated members.

Bhardwaj, sensing trouble at the time of introduction of the Bill, sat in the middle row of the Treasury Benches surrounded by Congress members and women ministers Ambika Soni and Kumari Selja.

When Bhardwaj rose to introduce the Bill, agitated SP members, including leader Abu Hazmi, rushed towards him and tried to snatch the papers from his hands. Congress women members Jayanti Natarajan and Alka Balram guarded Bharadwaj from SP members.

PTI adds: The Government expressed confidence that the Bill would be passed in the monsoon session after differences are ironed out. "We are confident we will get it passed in the next session," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi told reporters at the conclusion of the Budget session.