New Delhi, July 23 - Civil society groups working for women's rights Thursday urged the MPs to keep the issue of the women's reservation bill alive in parliament and push for its speedy passage.

Ranjana Kumari, director of Women Power Connect, while welcoming the increase in women's numbers at 'panchayat' (village council) level, said the bill for 33 percent reservation for women in parliament must be passed and should be a priority for all parliamentarians.

'Women's representation has been a matter of concern and action for the women's movement in India for nearly three decades now. We want a commitment from the government this time and urge parliamentarians to keep our issues alive in the house,' Kumari said.

'There is a pressing need to enhance women's representation in parliament and the state assemblies and so this issue is of utmost importance,' she added.

Girija Vyas, Lok Sabha member, said: 'Politics is no longer about muscle and power alone.