Uma demands reservation for dalit, tribal and backward class women

Sagar, MP, May 7 (UNI) Bharatiya Janshakti (BJ) President Uma Bharti has supported reservation for women belonging to dalit, tribal and backward class in the Women's Reservation Bill.

Ms Bharti told reporters here that the Bill would be rendered meaningless without reservation for women of these sections.

She said the party would join other parties with similar viewpoint and launch nationwide agitation if these sections where not provided reservation in the Bill.

The fiery sanyasin said she had contacted Rail Minister Lalu Yadav, JD(U) President Sharad Yadav and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in this regard. Besides, she had written to senior BJP leader L K Advani and Congress President Sonia Gandhi to provide benefit of reservation to these sections.

Ms Bharti alleged that the Congress, the BJP and Left parties had tabled the ''incomplete'' Bill as a part of a conspiracy to deprive poor and backward class women from the benefits.

She claimed that only high-class women and family members of political leaders would benefit from the Bill.

The BJ leader said her party would stage a demonstration between June 5 to June 15 in New Delhi if the provisions of the Bill were not amended. A joint forum could be created if other parties agreed on this matter.

UNI XC-PS 1940