Would not bow down to pressure over Women's bill: Lalu
Toughening his stand over the Women's Reservation Bill, RJD supremo Lalu Prasad today said he would not bow down to any pressure and continue fighting against the present form of the bill.
"Let them get me marshalled out using military or any other force in the Lok Sabha, I will fight against any attempts to get the bill passed in Lok Sabha in its present form," Prasad said while addressing the activists of the Muslim Khwatin Morcha here.
Prasad also indicated that the Congress' recalcitrance over tabling the bill might lead to early elections and asked his partymen to remain prepared for mid-term polls.
"We want that the bill should facilitate reservation for minorities, NREGA workers and other backward class women who deserve justice," he said, adding he would take the battle to its "logical conclusion".
After opposition by some parties over the present form of the bill, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had agreed to hold consultations on the issue with political parties, Prasad said.
He alleged that the Congress and BJP were trying to bring the bill in the Lok Sabha for "ulterior intentions" which would be fought with full vigour and strength.
Prasad accused Congress of bringing the bill to deflect people's attention from skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.
He alleged that Congress had badly "cheated and hoodwinked" the Dalits, minorities and other backward class and used them for electoral gains.
His wife and former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi said she was also opposed to the bill in its present form.
"I rally behind the RJD boss for his opposition to the women's quota bill," she added.
