Unfazed Mulayam says 'sexist' remark deliberate

“My remark was intentional and was intended at initiating a national debate before the passage of the Bill,” Yadav said while addressing party leaders.

“I did not say anything for which I have to tender an apology...I had no intention to humiliate women,” he said apparently referring to the demand for an apology from him by women’s organisations.

The SP has always accorded due place to women in the organisation. The party had 13 women legislators in the Uttar Pradesh assembly, he said.

Terming the Bill as an international conspiracy, Yadav said that only daughters and wives of industrialists, businessmen and bureaucrats would be able to enter Parliament after the passage of the Bill.

He said that those supporting the Bill were ‘anti-dalits’, ‘anti-minorities’ and ‘anti-backwards’.

Yadav regretted that the Left parties were also supporting the Bill.

Mulayam and Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad have been opposing the Bill while demanding reservation for the women belonging to Dalit, Muslim and backward communities.