Not too long ago, JD(U) colleagues Nitish Kumar and Sharad Yadav were united in their demand of a sub-quota for “deprived, marginalised” women in the Women’s Reservation Bill. Today, however, as party chief Sharad Yadav continues his bitter opposition, the Bihar Chief Minister, it is learnt, does not want to be seen as opposing the Bill, if not actively supporting it.

There’s a vigorous debate in the party fuelled by Kumar himself and a meeting of the JD(U) national executive is likely to be called to settle it.

Sources said Kumar called up his party MPs to say that his views on the Bill had “changed” and that he does not want to be seen as “anti-women.” Said one MP who received the call: “He said his opinion on reservation for women has changed. I told him he should talk to Sharad Yadav so that the party comes out with a clear stand.”

When contacted, Kumar was diplomatic. Not mentioning the quota within the quota as demanded by Sharad Yadav, he said: “I will not say anything now. Let the government come up with the form of the Bill it wants to table and then I will give my opinion”, he told The Indian Express.

When pressed to comment on Yadav’s sub-quota demand within the Bill’s 33% quota, Kumar said: “I will not say anything beyond what I have said. However, it is a matter of satisfaction for me that the Centre has adopted the Bihar model and proposed to reserve 50% of seats in rural and urban bodies for women”.

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