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The Rediff Interview/ Laloo Prasad Yadav

'Reservation must be for those who really deserve it, it cannot be cornered by upper class women alone'

The dumping of the Women's Reservation Bill has caused dismay among many politicians. However, there are those who contend that this development has not displeased most male MPs who are loathe to give way to the fairer sex, especially when it concerns additional representation in the country's highest forum of democracy.

Rashtriya Janata Dal president Laloo Prasad Yadav claims that despite what happened in Parliament on Monday, he will continue to fight for women's reservation. Excerpts from an interview with Tara Shankar Sahay.

You are once again embroiled in controversy. You reportedly incited your party colleagues in Parliament to stall the Women's Reservation Bill. Do you think it was justified?

Duniya kehti hai Laloo Yadav picchade wargon ka masiha hai. Inn picchade wagon mein OBC aur Muslim shamil hain. Agar inko reservation sirf oonche wargon ke machilayon ke liye hai? Mere saathi Lok Sabha mein kucch jyada uttejit ho gaye they, uske liye main maafi maang chuka hoon (The world says Laloo Yadav is a messiah of the backward classes. Among them are the OBCs and Muslims. If the OBCs and Muslims do not get reservation, then what is reservation all about? Is reservation only meant for upper class women? My party colleagues in the Lok Sabha got a little excited (over the bill) for which I have already apologised.

There have been allegations that those who are the most vocal on pushing the women's reservation bill through are secretly pleased it has been stalled for the time being.

What is there to comment? You have to be specific in your allegations. If you are alluding to me, you are wrong. Kya aap bhool gaye hain ki meri patni Bihar ki chief minister hai (Have you forgotten that my wife is the chief minister of Bihar?) So it is natural that I would want more reservation for women. But reservation must be for those who really deserve it, it cannot be cornered by upper class women alone.

My question should not be misunderstood. You had commented that Bhagwati Devi (the RJD candidate who lost from the Gaya Lok Sabha constituency) and women like her should be elected to voice the grievance of the backward classes in Parliament. But Bhagwati Devi, when she was an MP, was not very vocal and she was not successful in highlighting the woes of her people.

(Shouting) Bhagwati Devi and her kind symbolise the victory of social justice over upper caste atrocities. Unfortunately, she lost the election. Bhagwati Devi's mere presence in the Lok Sabha inspired many who want to see the backward classes progress. She may not have spoken many times in the House but she had an electrifying effect on us, the champions of social justice, whenever she spoke. You are wrong that she was unsuccessful. On the contrary, she did an excellent job.

So what do you think will happen to the bill now?

One thing is certain, we don't want it to be introduced in its present form. I hope that OBC and Muslim women will be given due representation.

Why do you think the Centre backed out from its earlier inclination regarding clamping President's rule in Bihar?

Bihar se khelwad karna utna aasan nahin hai (It is not child's play to fool around with Bihar). If the BJP thought it had scored a decisive victory by coming to power at the Centre, its optimism was not only foolish, but dangerous. Bihar ke log kendra aware koi bhi julm nahin sahenge (The people of Bihar will not tolerate any excess by the Centre).

Could you elaborate?

The Samata Party and the BJP in Bihar were urging the governor to recommend President's rule in the state under the pretence of a breakdown in law and order. But I think the people of Bihar got wind of the devious gameplan of the BJP-Samata Party combine. The people let it be known that if the Rabri Devi government was dislodged under spurious and concocted charges, they would revolt. That is why the Centre chickened out.

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