Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Sharad Yadav refused to answer a question on whether Manmohan Singh had given any assurance to them on their demand.
Showing no signs of relenting on the Women's Reservation Bill in its present form, the Yadav trio today asked prime minister Manmohan Singh to defer the measure and call an all-party meeting to evolve a consensus.
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) supremo Lalu Prasad and Janata Dal(United) [JD(U)] president Sharad Yadav met the prime minister at his official Race Course road residence this morning, a day after
the bill was stalled in the Rajya Sabha which witnessed unprecedented pandemonium.
"We have asked the prime minister to defer the bill. We have also requested him to call an all-party meeting on the issue. He listened to us patiently," Prasad told reporters after the 45-minute meeting.
He maintained that his party is not against the reservation for women but only wants the "real needy women" of the society to be represented through it.
Sharad Yadav, in whose JD(U) there are sharp divisions on the bill with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar coming out in its support, said they had apprised Singh of their apprehensions if the bill providing for 33% reservation of seats in Lok Sabha and state assemblies was passed in its present form.
"We expressed our views, our pain particularly for Muslim, backward and dalit women. These communities comprise 80% of the population. We thank him for inviting us," he said.
The three leaders refused to answer a question on whether Singh had given any assurance to them on their demand.
Lalu Prasad said none of them including Sharad Yadav and Mulayam Singh are against reservation for women but "the face of women from OBCs, Mulsims and Dalits should also be reflected in this mirror (Bill)."
"We told the prime minister that whatever percentage you may decide, but they (OBCs and Dalits) should be included in the Bill," Prasad said, adding the passing of the Bill is "not a minor thing. History is being created."
He said the prime minister gave them a patient hearing.
Prasad claimed that some members of parties supporting the Bill have told him in private that they are not in its favour.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}