New Delhi, Aug 24: Shabana Azmi, an activist parliamentarian who has been in the forefront of championing the women's reservation in Lok Sabha and assemblies, feels the present legislation cannot be passed and an alternative has to be considered. "I think the bill in its present form cannot be passed. One has to be realistic and look at an alternative proposal," she said as she prepares for the life after expiry of her Rajya Sabha term later this month.
"Women's reservation is not a magic wand with which all problems of women will disappear. What it will do is to give women the right to participate in the decision making process."
"I believe when a critical mass of women get empowered politically, they will transform the very notion of power so that it becomes more about sharing rather than the powerful oppressing the powerless."
She said the proposal for dual membership as a way out of the present problem would be welcome if it is implemented in 100 per cent of the seats so that women get equal representation.
"Perhaps, the answer lies in making it legally binding for all political parties to give 33 percent seats to women as a constitutional amendment," she said. Bureau Report