Interview With Sonia Gandhi

Women's Bill close to our heart: Sonia Gandhi

Congress President and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi speaking exclusively to TIMES NOW's Correspodent Nandita Suneja after the Rajya Sabha passed the historic Women's Reservation Bill said the Bill is close to everyone’s heart. She lauded the efforts of her party members. Speaking on UPA ally TMC abstaining from the vote, Gandhi hoped that Mamata Banerjee would understand the importance of the Bill.

The Interview:

TIMES NOW: It is an extremely happy day for you personally.

Sonia Gandhi: Yes, of course it is a very happy day for me personally. But, it is not for me alone. It is actually my colleagues, the men, and to start of with, the prime minister and of course the members of my party, men and women.

TIMES NOW: You wanted the Bill to be passed on Women's Day. That didn't happen.

Sonia Gandhi: I think there is a misunderstanding there. I didn't say. How can I say I want it ot be passed on Women's Day. I only said 'if'. There was never a command. I couldn't possibly do that.

TIMES NOW: There has been lot of resistance and it was quite apparent in Rajya Sabha and sometimes in unparliamentarily way. Have you been disappointed with that resistance?

Sonia Gandhi: Well, in Parliament it was not the first time that there was resistance towards a Bill. It happened before. It will happen in the future.

TIMES NOW: There is a sense that there a very heavy political price may have been paid. The Samajwadi Party and the RJD have almost written it on paper that they are going to withdraw support. They are even talking about meeting the President tomorrow.

Sonia Gandhi: I hope not, but we have faced enormous problems before and we will face similar ahead.

TIMES NOW: Similar voice from Mamata Banerjee. Any message for her whose members have abstained from voting today?

Sonia Gandhi: I will find out why she is upset. And, I am sure she will understand.