Patna: Senior JD(U) leader and national
spokesman Shivanand Tiwari on Sunday criticised RJD chief Lalu
Prasad for opposing the Women`s Reservation Bill and accused
him of being the "greatest usurper" of the rights of the
backward class and the Muslims.
Tiwari, who along with others supported the Bill in Rajya
Sabha, alleged, "Prasad is the greatest usurper of the rights
of the backwards and the Muslims for providing reservations
to these sections of society.
"One has to change the mindset on any issue with time
... the time has come to give women their due," Tiwari said.
"We supported the Bill in Rajya Sabha and the vexed issue
of quota within quota can be sorted out later," he said.
Asked if developments in the run up to voting on the Bill
seemed to suggest that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has emerged
as a tallest leader and JD(U) was on the brink of a split,
Tiwari, "Do not put words in my mouth. There is no difference
in the party over the bill.
"I personally feel that neither Sharad Yadav or former
state president Rajeev Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh would
create a situation that would affect the party when assembly
elections are slated later this year," Tiwari said.
PTI
