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PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
NEW DELHI, DEC 11: Introduction of the Women's Reservation Bill was stalled again in the Lok Sabha today amidst unprecedented pandemonium following clashes between supporters of the Bill led by Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee and its opponents in the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and Samajwadi Party (SP).
Following uproarious scenes in which Banerjee and a few other women members tugged at SP member Daroga Prasad Saroj's sweater, the House was adjourned for the day without transaction of business.
The Constitution 84th Amendment Bill, providing for 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies, which was listed for introduction today, met the same fate it suffered on two earlier occasions.
The first time around, the opponents, who were part of the then United Front coalition, prevented its introduction. The second time, the BJP-led Government sought leave for its introduction.
SP and RJD members have given a notice of breach of privilege against Banerjee, demanding termination of her membership.
The Upper House was also adjourned for the day without transaction of business as non-Congress members demanded suspension of question hour and discussion on the day-long industrial strike sponsored by them.
During the budget session this year, the Bill was snatched from the hands of Law Minister M Thambidurai by members belonging to the SP-RJD combine.
Members of Opposition parties other than the Congress began the day with a strong demand for cancelling proceedings to mark the day-long industrial strike by these parties, while the SP and RJD members opposed the scheduled introduction of the Women's Bill.
Speaker G M C Balayogi adjourned the House after five minutes of uproarious scenes, only to be confronted with a worse situation an hour later, when Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee and a few other members of Parliament blocked Daroga Prasad Saroj, who was seen advancing towards the Treasury benches.
All hell broke loose when Banerjee and the other MPs prevented Saroj from entering the ruling coalition's cordon in the well of the House, by pulling his sweater. The Speaker anticipated further trouble, and the House was adjourned for the second time.
When the House met subsequently, the focus shifted to action against Banerjee for her ``misbehaviour'', with Saroj as angry members demanded immediate termination of her membership. They also shouted slogans against Banerjee, calling her ``anti-Dalit'' as Saroj is a Dalit.
SP and RJD members have given notice of breach of privilege against Banerjee demanding termination of her membership.
Opposition members, barring those belonging to the Congress, stormed into the well soon after the Lok Sabha met for the day protesting against the Women's Bill as also the opening up of the insurance sector and the `deteriorating economic situation.'
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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