Some BJP functionaries claimed that the new women's reservation bill won’t be identical to 2010 bill.

The Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the constitution amendment bill to provide reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies — paving the way for the introduction of the historic bill in the ongoing special session of Parliament, officials said.

Some BJP functionaries claimed that the new bill won’t be identical to the 2010 bill and might expand the scope of reservation beyond the Lok Sabha and the state assemblies. In the 2010 bill, there was also no provision for quota within quota—a key demand of many regional parties.

In the past since 1996, several attempts were made to make a law for legislative reservation for women, but all attempts had failed. In 2010, the UPA government could pass the bill in the Upper House of Parliament but couldn’t bring it to the Lok Sabha under pressure from allies.

This time, the bill is likely to see smooth passage. The ruling NDA, its supporter BJD and key opposition parties such as the Congress, Trinamool, BRS and Left are expected to support the bill in Parliament. Together, the bill will enjoy the support of 431 MPs in the Lok Sabha and 175 in the Rajya Sabha.

National Committee for Women Chairperson Minu poddar applaud for the sucessful nod of the bill.