NDA believes division in oppn will be exposed if debate on Women's Reservation Bill takes place

The BJP-led NDA believes that division in the opposition's ranks over the Women's Reservation Bill will be exposed in Parliament's Monsoon Session if a debate over the issue takes place as parties like the SP and the RJD have been opposed to it in its current form.

Following a meeting of NDA parties, a BJP ally, said many MPs, especially those coming from backward and other under-privileged castes, have been opposed to the bill as they have sought quota for their communities among the seats reserved for women.

Some BJP allies like the LJP have traditionally maintained a similar position.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed with the suggestion that NDA parties should be meeting more often formally or informally.

"A resolution praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the government's decision to hike the support price given to farmers for their produce, was passed in the meeting," he said, adding that leaders from all allies agreed that the decision is aimed at doubling income of farmers.

Passing the resolution, leaders from various allies said that the prime minister has fulfilled the promise made during the last general elections.

He further said a similar resolution was also passed for India becoming the sixth largest economy in the world.

Addressing the MPs of the NDA, Modi attributed the credit of the landmark decision to raise MSPs to the government and all NDA MPs.

Talking about the NDA, the prime minister said the alliance is in power in more than 21 states "and our family is expanding further".

He also asked all MPs to attend the session and remain present in all its sittings.

"The prime minister told MPs that they should attend the session and prepare themselves to expose the opposition's lies during the proceedings," Kumar said.