New Delhi, March 9 (IANS) “I am very happy,” Congress president Sonia Gandhi declared Tuesday after the Rajya Sabha passed the women’s bill to reserve a third of seats in all legislatures for women, adding the “larger picture” of women’s empowerment was worth the political risk that the ruling coalition had taken.
Speaking to NDTV’s Barkha Dutt, Gandhi said she was grateful to all the political parties who helped the bill to pass, including the Left, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) “and our coalition partners”.

She hoped that “those who did not support us will understand” over time the need for the bill, which now needs to get past the Lok Sabha. She was particularly surprised about Trinamool Congress’ abstention, especially since its leader Mamata Banerjee was “enthusiastic” about its support when it came up in the cabinet.

Gandhi, who is also chairman of the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA), said she was watching the parliament proceedings from her home and she felt happy the bill was passed after a lively discussion.

“I am happy and relieved,” she said and said the issue had been very close to her heart, especially since it was in keeping with vision of her late husband former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

“The first step has been taken. As a natural corollary, the next step will also be taken,” she said in reference to its passage in the Lok Sabha.

Regarding opposition from some UPA allies, Sonia Gandhi said she was aware of the political risks involved but the “big picture” of empowerment of women in the country was more important