Correct, said Shahid Siddiqui. "The SP has been saying for long that we want party-based quota for women. We are not against quota for women but the present form of the Bill," said Siddiqui.

That is an old chestnut the Opposition is pulling out from the fire, said Natarajan. "Quota in party tickets will not help women. Today in Parliament, Abu Azmi (SP MP) intimidated me. If that is the treatment we get inside Parliament I shudder to think how a woman will ever win an election against Azmi in his constituency. Women can’t fight against men in equal terms right now," said Natarajan.

If that is the logic then perhaps India needs a Parliament for women, said Kishwar. “In a political atmosphere where even a Jayanthi Natarajan feels threatened and in a society dominated by crime and corruption women will be pushed back. The present Bill will require a Constitutional amendment and that will take a long time and will probably never. A simple amendment to the Representation of People’s Act will bring in party-based quotas,” she said.

Web/poll results:

Do women need reservation?

Yes: 21 per cent
No: 79 per cent