Sharad Yadav challenges BJP, Congress on Women Reservation Bill

New Delhi, Mar 6 (ANI): The Janata Dal (United) president Sharad Yadav on Saturday challenged both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress Party and dared them to issue a whip to their respective party MPs to support Women's Reservation Bill.

The UPA Government is introducing the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

Interacting with the media here, Sharad Yadav said: " If BJP and Congress have courage let them issue a whip."

On Friday, in a significant development, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has come out in support of the Women's Reservation Bill, blowing a hole in the OBC resistance to the historic move.

"I am in support of the Women's Reservation Bill in its present form, it should be pushed through soon," Nitish Kumar told reporters in Patna.

Nitish Kumar said he does not agree with the stand of Lalu Prasad, Mulayam Singh Yadav and Sharad Yadav.

Kumar, however, made it clear that he supported the quota-within-quota demand for Other Backward Castes and Muslim women within the larger quota for women, but it should not delay the bill.

"First, the women's reservation bill should get through without further delay. The quota-within-quota demand should not become a big hurdle," he said.

He also appealed Sharad Yadav to reconsider party's decision and support the Women's Reservation Bill.

"I will appeal to my leader Sharad Yadav and other colleagues to reconsider their stand," Kumar said.

Commenting on Kumar's statement, Yadav said: "It's an internal matter and will sort it out."

He also added that the statement is Kumar's personal opinion and not of the party's.

Meanwhile, forum of independent MPs Lok Morcha also extended its support to the Bill. (ANI)