The Forum for Democratic Reforms, consisting of Jayaprakash Narayan of Lok Satta, Hyderabad, Dhurubhai Sheth, Lokayan, Delhi, Yogendra Yadav of CSDS, Delhi, and Madhu Kishwar of Manushi, New Delhi, have suggested an alternative to the proposed Bill for Women's Reservation.

. Therefore, the alternative bill proposes to amend the Representation of the People Act, 1951, to make it mandatory for every recognised political party to nominate women candidates iu one-third of the constituencies. There will be a similar provision in respect of seats reserved for SCs and STs. Each party can choose where it wishes to nominate women candidates.

To prevent a party from nominating women candidates only in States or constituencies where the party is weak and to ensure an even spread, the unit for consideration (the unit in which at least one out of three party candidates shall be a woman) for the Lok Sabha shall be a State or Union Territory, and for the Assembly, a cluster of three contiguous Lok Sabha constituencies.

In the event of any recognised party failing to nominate one- third women, for the shortfall of every single woman candidate two male candidates of the party shall lose the party symbol and affiliation ... (Source: The Hindu, 28 April, 2000)