Women's Bill: The Lok Sabha challenge

New Delhi: The Women's Reservation Bill may have crossed the first hurdle, but the battle is only just beginning for the government. The challenge now is to get it passed by the Lok Sabha where it is likely to face even stronger opposition than what was seen in the Rajya Sabha over the past two days.

On Wednesday, a glimpse of how bad that protest can be was seen with Lalu and Mulayam Singh leading the way. They forced the House to be adjourned thrice. (Read: Women's Bill: Slighted Yadavs' plan next attack)

As soon as the House assembled for the day, SP, RJD and some JD(U) members criticised the government's "autocratic move" to pass the Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

Seeing the intensity and scale of this opposition, the question before the government is - when to table the Women's Bill? The question becomes crucial as a more immediate concern is to pass the Finance Bill that is, the Budget.

The government is also acutely aware that the majority it presently enjoys is wafer thin.

Also, there are three allies who let down the UPA government over the Women's Bill, Mamata Banerjie, Lalu and Mulayam Singh Yadav. (Read: Mamata downplays anger over Women's Bill)

So, while Mamata Banerjie may have come around after her MPs chose not to vote in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, the Congress will still be working overtime to garner support to shore up its numbers.

Women's Bill - the process here on:

• The Bill goes to Lok Sabha where it has to be passed by two third majority
• The Bill then goes to 28 Assemblies; 15 Assemblies must ratify it with two third majority
• This is followed by a final approval by the President

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