Mulayam wants women's quota in IIMs & govt jobs

New Delhi, Apr 6: Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, who has been demanding for 'reservation within reservation' in the Women's Reservation Bill for women from minority communities, has now pitched for 50 per cent quota for women in educational institutes and government jobs.

Mulayam Singh's new demand came at the all-party meet convened by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Monday, Apr 5.

"During the all-party meeting, I made my stand clear that till the time women do not get educated, they cannot move ahead. Therefore, at the first place, women should get 50 per cent reservation in admission to IIMs, IITs, AIIMS and all medical colleges and government and private jobs," SP leader said.

"Women can't progress by merely becoming MPs and MLAs," he contended.

Reiterating that he was not against the reservation for women, Yadav said, SP has been saying that parties should be made to reserve seats for women and those who don't should face disqualification.

Mulayam Singh along with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav have been protesting against the Women's Reservation Bill which provides 33 per cent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. They are demanding that amends have to be made to provide quota within quota for women from backward classes, and minorities communities.

The Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha in Mar 2009. The all-party meet was held in an attempt to build consensus on the bill which will be brought before the Lok Sabha during the upcoming session, which begins Apr 15. However, the meet failed to achieve the goal.

OneIndia News