Bill will benefit only rich, corrupt women: SP

Lucknow, Apr 19: Continuing with his 'sexist remarks' on the Women's Reservation Bill, Samajwadi Party (SP) Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav on Sunday, Apr 18 said that Bill would be of benefit only for rich women, who would corrupt the election process.

" If the bill is passed, it would only benefit women of the rich and the influential class and they would corrupt the election process which would also become costlier," he said, while addressing a meeting at the Samajwadi Party headquarters here.

Singh said that the Bill in its present form was not acceptable.

The SP Chief drew everyone's ire when he said that women elected through quota would be whistled.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) had lashed out at Singh for resorting to a 'low level' of debate, while former SP General Secretary, Amar Singh had termed it 'sexist, Talibani and a cheap remark.'

However, the SP Chief showed no remorse over the remark and said that it was made after evaluating all aspects, in order to initiate a debate on the issue.

Blaming the Center and the State government for the price rise, Singh asked the people of Uttar Pradesh to gear up for a possible mid-term-election in the State,

"People, who are taking a beating due to the price rise caused by the collusion of the two governments, should remain prepared for a unified protest on the issue on April 27," Mr. Singh said.

"There is a possibility of mid-term elections in the State, therefore party leaders and workers should go to the people," he said.

He accused the Centre and the State of making the education and health facilities expensive inorder to exclude the poor from all these benefits.

Calling for a support from all sectors, Singh called for a violent free strike against price rise.

"Take the support of all sections including industrial and business establishments, teachers, students, youths, traders, farmers, lawyers and workers in this strike, but there should be no violence," the SP supremo told his party leaders and workers.

Singh appealed to women to join the strike as they were the one most affected by the price rise. He said that SP was the only party, which was fighting for the cause of backwards, the minorities and Dalit women.

State president Akhilesh Yadav said the proposed strike would being held against the Central and State governments.

OneIndia News