Bhubaneswar, Apr 16 (PTI) BJD chief Naveen Patnaik on Thursday appealed to Odisha MPs to jointly fight for the protection of the state’s political and economic interests, which he said are under “threat” due to the Delimitation bill.
While reiterating support for the women’s reservation law, Patnaik urged MPs to oppose the 131st Constitutional Amendment bill in its present form.
“The current 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, as proposed, raises serious concerns that go beyond its stated objective,” he said in a letter to MPs from the state.
His appeal came a day after he wrote to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, seeking a special session of the Assembly to pass a resolution protecting the state’s interests.
Meanwhile, Congress Legislature Party leader Rama Chandra Kadam also wrote to the chief minister, urging him to convene a special Assembly session to safeguard the state’s political rights.
However, BJP leaders criticised Patnaik’s stand, alleging that his opposition to the delimitation proposal was aimed at creating confusion and hindering the women’s reservation bill.
State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said, “Creating confusion does not suit the stature of a five-time CM. The BJD president is indirectly opposing the women’s reservation bill by raising the issue of delimitation.” Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said Patnaik has reiterated the statement of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
Clarifying his party’s position, Patnaik said the BJD “wholeheartedly supports the principle of women’s empowerment and greater representation of women in legislative bodies”.
In a post on X, Patnaik said, “@bjd_odisha wholeheartedly supports the principle of women’s empowerment and greater representation of women in legislative bodies. The idea of reserving seats for women in Parliament and the State Assemblies is both progressive and necessary. I have been a personal champion of it, as has been my father Late Biju Patnaik.
“He pioneered the reservation for women in Panchayat Raj Institutions, and I took it forward further with your support. The Biju Janata Dal whole-heartedly supported the 106th Constitution Amendment Bill in 2023 with regard to Women’s reservation (the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam). However, the current 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, as proposed, raises serious concerns that go beyond its stated objective.” BJD spokespersons Lenin Mohanty and Mihir Ray rejected the BJP’s allegations and questioned why state ministers were silent on concerns over a possible decline in Odisha’s representation in the Lok Sabha.
Apart from BJD’s six Rajya Sabha MPs, Patnaik has sent the letters to 23 MPs of the BJP (20 Lok Sabha and 3 Rajya Sabha) and one each of the Congress and an Independent.
“I write to you not only as the president of the BJD, but as a fellow Odia deeply committed to safeguarding the long-term interests, dignity, and equitable representation of our beloved state, Odisha. The same is seriously likely to be undermined if the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill is passed by Parliament,” Patnaik noted in the letter.
“I urge you – irrespective of party affiliation – to carefully consider the broader implications of this (131) Amendment. It is imperative that we seek clarity, safeguards, and, if necessary, a decoupling of women’s reservation from the delimitation process,” Patnaik said.
In the three-page letter, Patnaik urged lawmakers to raise the issue both inside and outside Parliament. He said it is the duty of all MPs to ensure Odisha’s Lok Sabha share is not adversely affected due to the delimitation process.
Odisha has 21 Lok Sabha seats (about 3.9 per cent of the 543-member House). However, under a proposed expansion to around 850 seats, its tally may rise to 29, but its proportional share could fall to 3.4 per cent, a relative decline of nearly 15 per cent, he said, adding that a 0.5 per cent share loss is a huge given the state’s minuscule 3.9 per cent representation in Parliament.
“It steals the political representation future of people of Odisha. We cannot let it happen under our watch when people of Odisha have voted for you to protect their economic and political future through the Parliament,” the former chief minister said.
Patnaik further said that representation in Parliament is not just about numbers, but it is about identity, pride, and the assurance that our unique history, language, and aspirations are heard at the highest levels.
“Any move that diminishes our presence in the national discourse can create a sense of degradation among people. We must ensure that progress for one section does not come at the cost of another’s voice. This is precisely what the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill is likely to deliver,” he noted.
He clarified that the linkage between women’s reservation and the delimitation process, which is expected to follow the next Census, has far-reaching implications.
“States like Odisha, which have made significant strides in population control and human development, are being penalised. A disproportionate increase in Lok Sabha seats in more populous states could skew the allocation of central resources and policy attention. This may adversely impact Odisha’s share in national development priorities, fiscal transfers, and infrastructure investments,” Patnaik said, calling for unity among lawmakers from the state. PTI AAM RG AAM MNB
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