Rahul Gandhi offers unconditional support

​New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi's latest challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a letter of unconditional support on a Bill that has proved difficult to pass for eight years.

"Time for (PM Modi) to rise above party politics, walk-his-talk and have the Women's Reservation Bill passed by Parliament. The Congress offers him its unconditional support," tweeted the Congress president, attaching a letter to the Prime Minister.

The Bill, which aims to reserve a third of seats in Parliament and legislatures for women, was passed by the Rajya Sabha in 2010 but is yet to clear the Lok Sabha. "Mr Prime Minister, in many of your public rallies you have spoken about your passion for empowering women and involving them more meaningfully in public life. 

What better way to demonstrate your commitment to the cause of women than by offering your unconditional support to the passage of the Women's Reservation Bill? And what better time, than the upcoming session of parliament?" 

Rahul Gandhi says in the letter, adding that any more delay would make it impossible to implement before the next general election. The Congress chief also said his party has collected over 3.2 million signatures in support of the Bill.