New Delhi, July 16: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his support to help get the Women's Reservation Bill passed in Lok Sabha in the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament. In his letter to PM Modi, Gandhi has written that it was time to "rise above politics" to ensure women get leadership positions in the country.

Gandhi in his letter pointed out how then leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley had called the passing of the Bill in Rajya Sabha in 2010 "historic and momentous". He said that the Bill has the potential to "transform governance" in India.

While tweeting out the letter sent to the Prime Minister today, Gandhi wrote, "Our PM says he’s a crusader for women’s empowerment? Time for him to rise above party politics, walk-his-talk & have the Women’s Reservation Bill passed by Parliament. The Congress offers him its unconditional support."

Earlier this month, women activists from across the country launched a charter in Delhi demanding that the central government ensures that 50 percent seats in Parliament and legislative assemblies are reserved for women.

Calling the Women's Reservation Bill, which seeks to ensure that 33 per cent of the seats in Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies are reserved for women, the "most-delayed" bill in the history of India, Ranjana Kumari, director at the Centre for Social Research, said that women want equal representation more than free gas stoves and toilets.

 "The government should stop stereotyping us by giving us chulha, which has increased problems for the women who are not able to afford cylinder or the stove," she said.
The Congress has been attacking the BJP for going back on its promise of ensuring the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill. Earlier this year, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that the BJP was not interested in introducing the much talked about Women's Reservation Bill in the Lok Sabha, and asserted that it will be passed immediately if his party comes to power.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 16, 2018 02:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).