MARGAO: The Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat on Wednesday told women Congress workers that in politics the most important criteria was the virtue of patience and gave his own example to back it up. But in the same breadth, he assured them that the Congress party does not do "injustice" while conceding that sometimes things take time.

This was in reply to demands for representation in various levels of governments at a convention of women Congress workers at Margao where most of the speakers expressed that women should be given an opportunity to move forward in politics, at all levels and that the male politicians should not put hurdles in their path.

Also present were all India women’s chief and MP, Ms Prabha Thakur and GPCC chief, Mr Subash Shirodkar, Ms Monica Dias, state mahila chief, Mr Altinho Gomes, GPCC general secretary and others.

"I was asked by someone how I survived as Chief Minister for three years, given that in the first year itself I faced so much trouble. And I replied that God had given me one thing in abundance – patience," he said, elaborating on his "patience" advice.

He also urged women to take advantage of all the schemes that had been floated by the central and state governments.

Ms Thakur, the all India mahila chief, speaking before the Chief Minister, requested him to make reservations for women in government jobs while at the same time exhorted women to concentrate on their own sex – 50 per cent of the electorate. She also wanted reservations for women at all levels –municipality, panchayat and that loyal women should be rewarded.

The GPCC president told the women workers that once the reservation bill was passed then women would get an opportunity to stand for election while Ms Monica Dias spoke on the reservation bill being a reality as soon as possible, preferably before the next election.