Leaders of various political parties in Jammu and Kashmir today said they welcomed the passing of the Woman Reservation Bill in Rajya Sabha and called it a "historic step in the largest democracy of the world".

"We welcome the passage of the women reservation bill in the Rajya Sabha. It will empower women of the country", PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said today.

The state government should also bring a bill in the Assembly and PDP will fully support it, she said.

"The reservation of 33% seats for women will empower the women, who have excelled in all sectors of life", she said.

Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress president, Saif Uddin
Soz expressed joy over the passage of the bill in a statement
and said the passage of the bill has further strengthened the
biggest democracy of world.

Stating that the decision will go a long way in the struggle for empowering women in the country, he said he thanked the party high command for the initiative.

Deputy chief minister Tara Chand said that this will empower the women who have not been given much chances to prove their mettle.

This also reflection of the commitment made by the Congress President Sonia Gandhi to the Nation, he said.

JK Democratic Party Nationalist (JKDPN) president and state agriculture minister G H Mir said that party welcomes the passing of the Reservation Bill and said this move will go a long way to empower women across the country.

The president of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and former Minister, Hakeem Yaseen also welcomed the passage of the bill and also called for similar bill in the state to be passed to give reservation to women.

CPIM state secretary, M Y Tarigami said women in the country willbe empowered to have a greater say in the decision making apparatus in the country.

"BJP had always been fighting over it. it championed for this cause of women. It will fully with BJP support that women's bill waspassed in the Rajya Sabha", BJP state legislative party leader Chaman Lal Gupta said.

BJP wants empowerment of women across the country and this will further strengthened democracy in the country, he said.