New Parliament, Day 1: M Kharge vs Nirmala Sitharaman On GST, Women's Bill

Speaking in the new parliament, Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the reservation will only be manipulated by political parties to choose uneducated voiceless women. Nirmala Sitharaman said he is making "sweeping statements".

The proposed women's reservation bill, which has been cleared by the cabinet, triggered a huge war of words between Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman today. Speaking in the new parliament, Mr Kharge alleged that the reservation will only be manipulated by political parties to choose uneducated voiceless women who are unequipped for the task. Ms Sitharaman, one of the most vocal parliamentarians of the BJP, vehemently objected. Mr Kharge, she said, is making "sweeping statements".

"Literacy rate of women from Scheduled Castes is less and that is why political parties have a habit of choosing weak women. They never choose those who are educated and can fight," said Mr Kharge, who is also the Leader of the Congress in Rajya Sabha.

When the treasury benches started protest, Mr Kharge shouted, "What half ticket? We are talking about one-third ticket... Sit down and be quiet... I have an idea how backward, Scheduled Caste people are chosen by parties".