Dehra Dun: With Parliament all set to take up
the Women`s Reservation Bill tomorrow, Uttarakhand Governor
Margaret Alva has expressed her sadness for being unable to
vote on the landmark measure.
"I am sad for not being able to vote in Parliament for
the (Women`s Reservation) bill (when it comes for voting). But
it will be a big moment for our country when women get 33 per
cent reservation," Alva said at a function here yesterday.
The Governor said she took up the cudgels for the issue
around 25 years ago when late Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime
Minister.
"I have fought for the bill. But then also, there was
opposition," she said in reference to the opposition by some
regional parties.
"As the opposition grew, Rajiv told me `Look Margaret, we
have to start the reservation right from the grass-root level
now.` So, the bill was put on hold at that time and the
panchayat bill was passed," she said.
It was good that the BJP, Congress and Left parties were
coming together to vote for the bill, the former Congress
leader added.
The Governor also took dig at Mulayam Singh Yadav and
Lalu Prasad Yadav for opposing the bill.
PTI
