Rajiv Gandhi's vision was to pass women's bill in parliament: Sonia

New Delhi, March 12 : Congress chief Sonia Gandhi Friday said the passage of the women's reservation bill in parliament would be the realisation of her late husband and former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi's vision to politically empower women.

Addressing a meeting of Congress office bearers and state party chiefs here, she said : "Women reservation bill ...when it comes to fruition, it would be the realisation of Rajiv Gandhi's vision to empower women politically."

The meeting was organised to finalise programmes for the party's 125th anniversary celebrations.

The women's reservation bill was cleared by the Rajya Sabha Tuesday and is awaiting a green signal from the Lok Sabha before it becomes a law.

However, that may not be soon as parliament is taking a three-week-long recess beginning Thursday, and will resume April 12. During the next few days, the houses will be discussing the budget for 2010-11.

The bill provides 33 percent reservation for women in parliament and the state legislatures.

Party sources said a resolution was also moved by the state unit presidents lauding the leadership provided by Sonia Gandhi in getting the legislation passed in the Rajya Sabha.