Joint Press Release by Smt Kiran Maheshwari, President of the BJP Mahila Morcha and Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, National Prabhari of the Mahila Morcha

The BJP is committed for providing 33% reservation for women in Parliament and the state assemblies. The BJP is the only party in the country to provide 33% reservation for women within the organisation and has recently in the National Council Meeting amended its Constitution for implementing this change. Further to the National Council meeting, the BJP Mahila Morcha is organizing a huge women national rally on 21st February at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi with the objective to pressurize the UPA government to table the Women's Reservation bill in Parliament.

This rally is being attended by about 1lakh women workers of the party from each and every corner of the country. Women participants from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Karnatak, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Mumbai, Orissa including North-Eastern states have either already reached or will be reaching the capital in thousands to participate in this historic rally for their rights. In addition to these states, women from Laskshyadweep, Daman Dio, Dadra, Nagar Haweli and Andaman Nicobar Islands are also participating in this great congregation of women. Many of them have already reached Delhi.

All the major arrangements for the rally have been completed. The delegates coming by road will be welcomed at the borders of Delhi and thereafter will be guided to their respective accommodations. The stay arrangements have been made at the Ramlila Maidan and also at the residences of party workers of the Delhi State BJP. Food arrangements for all delegates have also been made at the residences of party workers.

All the members of the BJP National Executive have also been invited to participate in the rally. The Senior National Leaders of the party, who would be addressing this rally include Sh. L.K. Advani, Leader of Opposition Lok Sabha, Sh. Rajnath Singh, All India President of the BJP, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Ms Vasundhara Raje, CM of Rajasthan, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan, & the National Incharge, BJP Mahila Morcha, Dr. Najma Heptullah, Smt. Mridula Sinha and Smt. Jaywanti Ben Mehta, Smt. Maya Singh, Smt. Surma Padhey, Smt. Kanta Nalawade, Ex-National Presidents of BJP Mahila Morcha among others.

Women and development are synonyms to each other. No nation can boast of comprehensive development without the upliftment of the women. History provides ample examples that whenever and wherever women have been ignored, that society and that country has not been able to keep pace with the development in the world. Therefore, the BJP believes that now when the party has resolved to ensure that this 50% segment of our population now will be involved in the decision making process, nothing can stop women from coming forward. The party also condemns the manner in which women are being ignored and sidelined because of the bad governance of UPA and Congress government. The BJP will is committed that the women of this country should regain their lost glory and dignity, which the other political parties have consistently been holding back. The BJP is of the firm belief that the all round upliftment of women is a must for a prosperous and developed nation.

(Shyam Jaju)
Office Incharge