Sonia's nuclear deal

The Women Reservation Bill has now earned a new name in the political circle — ‘Sonia Gandhi’s Nuclear Deal’. Politicians across party lines are comparing the determination of the Congress chief to push her pet Bill with that of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s during the negotiations over nuclear deal with the US. A senior CPI(M) MP said: “PM was ready to risk the stability of his government over the nuclear deal. Similarly, Gandhi, too, wants to see the Bill passed, even at the cost of key allies.” After forcibly pushing the Bill in Rajya Sabha, the government managers have now started negotiations with key Opposition leaders. There is also a suggestion from the opponents of the Bill that it should not stick to the one-third quota but look for a lower percentage. In that case, the opponents may agree to pass the Bill.