Opposition united by prices, split by Women's Bill

New Delhi: The opposition may be united on the price issue, but there might be something that will divide them- the Womens' reservation bill which will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha next week.

M Veerappa Moily, Law Minister, Government of India says of the much awaited Women's bill, "The cabinet has cleared it. We may table it in Rajya Sabha next week. Maybe on the day of International Women's day."

The BJP and the left support the bill in its present form.

The bill is a constitutional amendment and needs two third majority, which means in Lok sabha it needs 364 MPs. The UPA, BJP and Left have 416.  So, the government's worry is not numbers. But the plan is to divide the opposition.

Already a rift in the NDA are visible. Leaders know that the bill is a threat to unity.

"We don't agree to the bill in its present form. We want the seats for women to be decided by parties -not the election commission", says Gawli patil, a Shiv Sena MP.

Janata Dal-United (JDU) leader Sharad Yadav says, "We oppose it. But we will not get divided."

The bill will also divide the UPA's ranks, specially as allies like the Rashtriya Janata Dal party are die hard opponents.

Lalu Prasad Yadav, the RJD President sounds determined: "We want muslim and backward women to be given reservation. We will oppose."

The strategy is that the divide over the women's bill will weaken the unity over the price issue against the government.

Mulayam Singh Yadav, Samajwadi Party President says, "Bill cannot be passed. We will not allow."

For almost 15 years the women's reservation bill has suffered, as political parties have been divided over it. The irony is that the government is now moving the bill to end unity among political parties.