"Rajiv Gandhi's Dream...": Sonia Gandhi Participates In Women Reservation Bill Debate

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, while participating in the women reservation bill debate in the Parliament said the dream of former prime minister and “her partner” Rajiv Gandhi is partially completed as it is now tabled for discussion. “Once the bill is passed, his dream will become a reality”.

Sonia Gandhi who lead the the party”s debate on women reservation bill quoted the introduction of the bill in the parliament as “the emotional moment of her life”.

The government yesterday introduced the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, reserving 33% of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Former Congress President highlighted the importance of adding women perspective in legislature for the better running of our country. “The Indian woman has patience like the ocean. She has worked for everyone”s betterment like a river,” she said.

This was a touching moment in Sonia Gandhi”s life as it is not just the introduction of the bill after a long fought battle but also because it was first introduced by her life partner Rajiv Gandhi.

“This is an emotional moment of my own life as well. For the first time, Constitutional amendment to decide women”s representation in local body election was brought by my life partner Rajiv Gandhi. It was defeated in Rajya Sabha by 7 votes. Later, Congress Govt, under the leadership of PM PV Narasimha Rao, passed it in Rajya Sabha. As a result, we have 15 lakh elected women leaders across the country through local bodies. Rajiv Gandhi”s dream is only partially complete. It will complete with the passing of this Bill,” she said during her speech.

Though the Congress had supported the bill in the parliament, they expressed their concern too. She brought into the notice that the Indian women are awaiting for this for past 13 years. Thus she raised the question to the parliament, “for how many more years will we have to wait?”. Congress party demanded the bill to be enforced immediately and has also asked to make immediate arrangements for reservations to women from SC, ST and OBC communities by holding a caste census.

The Manmohan Singh-led UPA government introduced the Women”s Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha in 2008, which it passed in 2010. However, the bill never reached in Lok Sabha for consideration. Women reservation bill is one of the key promises the BJP has made in the run-up to both the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha election.