Congress too demands sub-quota

The CWC also resolved that the party would work towards a consensus for representation for OBCs and minorities. The CWC, however, made it clear that initiative in this regard had to come from the government.

However, there was no change in the party8217;s commitment to 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state Assemblies, senior Congress leader Arjun Singh told newspersons after the CWC meeting, though, he declined to specify whether the partywould move an amendment to incorporate the proposal to include the OBCs and the minorities.

The Congress put it in clear terms that the intiative for evolving a consensus rests on the government. 8220;After all Prime Minister A B Vajpayee is swearing by consensus on every issue facing the country,8221; he remarked.Asked what time frame the party would give for introduction of the bill, he said it was for the government to decide.

At the CPP general body meeting yesterday, several Congress members had demanded that the party consider moving amendments for earmarking a certain quota in the bill for OBCs and minorities. They said this gesture would go a long way in ensuring the support of the party8217;s social constituency, especially in south India.

But when queried whether the stand on OBCs would accrue any benefit to the Opposition parties, Singh said, 8220;We are not looking at the measure from the angle of electoral benefit but social change.8221;

However, as the second day passed after the row flared up the fateof the Women8217;s Reservation Bill looked uncertain with Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee saying it was now up to all political parties to take a final decision on the matter.

The Congress8217; position on thrashing out a consensus came in the wake of charges being traded for the second day today after the constitution 84th amendment bill was deferred in the Lok Sabha.

Arjun Singh said the CWC, going by the suggestions of its MPs, decided to work for a consensus and pointed out that its position on whether it would move an amendment on the OBC reservation issue 8220;could8221; come in the way of achieving a consensus.

Earlier, the Congress rejected BJP spokesman K L Sharma8217;s charge that it had backtracked on its support to the bill in its present form saying it was a baseless allegation.

Congress spokesman Ajit Jogi said in a parliamentary system it was responsibility of the government to introduce, move and get the bill passed.He said the ruling coalition and the BJP had enough numbers to get the billintroduced if the government had wanted.