From correspondents in Delhi, India, 10:32 PM IST

Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharti Monday wrote to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat urging him to ask the BJP to seek reservation for women from the backward classes in the women's quota bill.

Uma Bharti, who formed her breakaway Bharatiya Jan Shakti party, said the BJP should not support the bill in its present form and it should 'seek reservation within reservation' for those from the backward classes.

RSS is the ideological fountainhead of the BJP.

The firebrand Hindu leader said: '80 percent of the backward class people and tribals are Hindus and when there is a renewed debate about Hindutva after the poll results, the BJP should look at this section.'

She said the bill in the present form would ensure that 'these people will never get to hold the saffron flag, while a handful people will get into the parliament through the back door.'

The bill seeks to reserve 33 percent seats in the parliament and state legislatures for women. The UPA government is keen to see the bill passed in the monsoon session of parliament.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)