New Delhi:
The stand-off over Women's Reservation Bill ended on Thursday with government announcing that the proposed legislation would be brought in the Lok Sabha only after consultations with all sections.
The breakthrough came after SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav, RJD leader Lalu Prasad and JD(U) President Sharad Yadav, the three strong opponents of the bill, met Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, NCP chief Sharad Pawar and DMK leader T R Baalu also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, "some sort of assurance was sought on the progress of the Constitution Amendment Bill (Women's Reservation Bill) before bringing it to the Lok Sabha.
Government will complete the process of consultations with all concerned," Mukherjee said in a statement in the Lok Sabha after his discussions.
"I think, this assurance would assuage the feelings of all members and the business would be conducted smoothly," he said, when the House re-assembled after two adjournments on the issue.
The stand-off over the bill prevented normal functioning of the Lok Sabha for the last four days as those opposed to it have been disrupting the House.
"I would like to inform members that it has been agreed to conduct smooth business of the House for the remaining period," Mukherjee said.
"I would request colleagues to help the Chair to conduct normal business," he said.
The statement by the Leader of the House came at 2 PM after two adjournments following uproar over the bill.
Normalcy was restored soon after and discussion on General Budget, which had got delayed because of acrimony, was taken up.
Earlier, after his meeting with Mukherjee, Sharad Yadav said the government had assured those opposing the bill that all sections of the House will be consulted before bringing the measure in Lok Sabha.
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