Uma Bharti opposes Women's Reservation Bill

New Delhi, June 7(ANI): Janata Dal (United) leader Sharad Yadav got company in former Bharatiya Janata Party leader Uma Bharati, who has also decided to oppose the Women's Reservation Bill in its present form.

"When I heard the President's speech on television that within 100 days, the Women Reservation Bill will be passed, then my party and I decided that we will oppose the bill in its present form," Uma Bharati, the Bharatiya Janashakti Party chief in the national capital.

"We will expose the parties which support the Bill without taking into consideration the interests of the Backward Class, the Dalits and the Tribal sections," Bharti added.

Uma Bharati wants a separate quota within the overall quota for women belonging to Backward Castes and said that she stood by Janata Dal (U) chief Sharad Yadav.

Amidst opposition by a few, the political parties at large are keen to see early passage of Women's Reservation Bill in the Parliament, which shas been pending since 1999, as pro-backward parties have been demanding 'a quota within quota' for women belonging to backward, minority and scheduled castes.

Women across India have been lobbying intensely for the Bill, which seeks to reserve one-third of seats for them in the lower House of Parliament and State legislatures. (ANI)