New Delhi, May 07: The CPI-M today blamed the deferment of the Women's Reservation Bill on the Vajpayee government saying referring the matter to the speaker to decide on the matter was "abdicating its responsibility" as the ruling party. Pointing out the bill had the support of most major parties whose MPa constituted three-fourth of Lok Sabha, the CPI-M polit bureau in a statement said "yet, the government failed to ensure the bill was taken up for consideration and adoption. The main responsibility for this lies with the Vajpayee government which utterly failed to stand by its commitment."

It said those who opposed the bill have sought to block women's representation by giving out "spurious arguments" and added that reservation for women would have ensured that women from all strata get representation in the legislatures and Parliament. Reiterating its support for the legislation in its present form, the CPI-M said all parties should abide by the democratic process of decision making in Parliament to decide the fate of the bill.

Bureau Report