Sonia confident of evolving all-party consensus on Women's Quota

New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) Congress President Sonia Gandhi today expressed the hope that the UPA government would achieve an all-party consensus on the Women's Reservation Bill to ensure its passage through Parliament.

In a letter to partymen published in the Congress mouthpiece "Sandesh", she termed 'historic' the introduction of the Bill, seeking to reserve 33 per cent of seats in state assemblies and the Lok Sabha for women, in the Rajya Sabha last month.

Ms Gandhi said this was an important legislation and designed to ensure a greater degree of participation by women in the affairs of the country.

She said the Congress had always believed in the equality of women and in its long history had encouraged the participation of women in politics.

In this context, she cited how women came out of the confines of homes for the first time and participated in large numbers in the Independence struggle.

"Today, by encouraging to come forward and take their (women) legitimate place in the governance of the country, the Congress has shown its continuing commitment to gender equality." UNI SH HS VC1825