Women's Reservation Bill: Modi credits 'stable govt' for historic step in Parliament

A day after Parliament passed the bill almost unanimously, Modi greeted his workers, mostly women, at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters here.

Modi was welcomed by women BJP MPs including Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the BJP headquarters on Friday morning.

Speaking to the workers, Modi credited the full majority government, which was formed in 2014 after a gap of 30 years, for the history being created in Indian politics.

PM Modi addressing BJP workers at party headquarters | Photo courtesy: Twitter/@BJP4India

"'Nari Shakti Vandan Act' has become a reality because of the stable government with full majority. This law has again proved that a strong and decisive government with absolute majority is very necessary to take the country forward," Modi said with around six months left for the next General Elections.

Cutting across politics, the Prime Minister thanked all parties for the passing of the bill a day after Rajya Sabha cleared it unanimously.

"When you have honest intentions and transparency in your efforts, problems can be overcome, and results can be ensured. This, in itself, is a record that the law was supported by nearly everyone in the new parliament," Modi said and added, "For this, I want to thank every political party and the members of parliament."

Highlighting the schemes like 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao', Modi, who is the supreme leader of BJP, said, "In the last 9 years, we have tried to break every restriction related to mothers and sisters."

"Our government has made such schemes one after the other and started such programs so that our sisters get a life of respect, convenience, security and prosperity," the Prime Minister, who took some of the bold steps like abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A, demonetisation, said.

PM Modi with women BJP MPs at party headquarters | Photo courtesy: Twitter/@BJP4India

Making history, the Women's Reservation Bill cleared through the Upper House on Thursday evening and now awaits the signature of the President to make 33 percent reservation for women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies official.

The Bill received unanimous support from all Rajya Sabha members. There were no abstentions and no opposition. The bill cleared the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with the support of 454 MPs while only two MPs voted against it.

However, opposition parties, who all have almost supported the bill, questioned the government's intention ahead of the elections citing the reservation will be applicable only after the delimitation process which will follow the census.

Some parties including the principal opposition force Congress have demanded a reservation for the SC/ST/OBCs within the 33 percent women quota.