Saamna describes reservation bill as 'political hypocrisy'

Mumbai, May 7 (UNI) Shiv Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna' today described the introduction of Women's Reservation Bill in Parliament as a ''political hypocrisy'' and alleged that the UPA government did it with an eye on the forthcoming elections.

The edit, titled 'Reserved seats for women - a political hypocrisy' (Mahilana rakhiv jaga he rajkiya dhong), said women had already made their mark and they were showing their talents in every field. It further said that the mere passing of the bill would not bring about any major change in the lives of the women.

Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray went on to suggest in the editorial that instead of that, every political party should be allotted a quota for electing women candidates.

The editorial wondered whether any community or class really benefitted through reservations.

The edit said the Bill was introduced at a time when there was a growing dissent in the country over the implementation of the Sachchar Committee report.

''The bill has been introduced with an eye on the Lok Sabha elections and various other state elections, including Karnataka.

Criticising Railway Minister Lalu Prasad for his opposition to the bill, the edit said he was demanding caste-based reservation, even in women's reservation.

''We wonder why Mr Yadav did not prefer any backward or minority woman representative while making the Chief Minister of Bihar and preferred his wife Rabri Devi,'' the edit said, adding,'' there Mr Yadav preferred nepotism over caste-based politics.'' Taking a dig at the Congress party, the edit said why it did not prefer Ms Meira Kumar, a Dalit woman leader, to head the party in place of Ms Sonia Gandhi.

The edit also questioned whether paternity leave could be granted in India on the lines of foreign countries.

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