Govt to consult all before bringing Women's Bill in LS: Pranab

The stand-off over Women's Reservation Bill in Lok Sabha ended today with government announcing that the proposed legislation would be brought in the House 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. The 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.