Ranchi, Sept. 21: The Jharkhand Pradesh Mahila Congress (JPMC) has upped the ante against the alleged attempt to “sideline” them.

JPMC sources said there were attempts to sideline women in the committee “which would not be tolerated at any cost”. A resolution to this effect was passed in the working committee meeting of the women wing held recently in the capital.

“According to the party constitution, women should get one third representation in the committees — from the block levels to the state. There are attempts to ignore this provision, which is not appropriate,” the resolution said.

The state Congress is yet to announce its committee even after three months of Thomas Hansda’s appointment as its president. The list prepared by Hansda has been sent to AICC president Sonia Gandhi and AICC in-charge of Jharkhand affairs R.K. Dhawan. A final approval is expected any time, sources said.

Sources said: “Though we have conveyed our feelings to the high command, we would protest if women are not given 33 per cent representation in the committee.”

JPMC president Pratibha Pandey refused to elaborate on the matter. Pandey said, “We will wait till the committee is announced. Any formal decision will be taken afterwards,” she added. The JPMC has also demanded 50 per cent reservation for women “within the reserved seats” in government jobs so that there is representation of the women at all levels.

The JPMC has also demanded amendment in the Panchayati Raj Act to facilitate one third reservation for women in non-Schedule areas.

Pandey said the JPMC would oppose the panchayat elections if government fails to ensure reservation, though we strongly advocate the holding of panchayat elections. Now, the high court has also given a deadline for to hold the panchayat elections, she added.