Bhubaneswar, April 15
Leader of Opposition and Biju Janata Dal president Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday wrote to Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, expressing serious concerns over the proposed Constitution Bill, 202, also known as the Delimitation Bill, which seeks to alter the composition of the House of the People, claiming that, if passed, it would reduce the political representation of the state.
In a letter to the Chief Minister, Patnaik stated that Odisha, which is not only a land of rich heritage and culture but also an emerging pillar of modern progress, is currently at a crossroads. He claimed that, if passed, the proposed Bill could proportionately reduce Odisha's representation in the Lower House of Parliament.
"The proposed Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, the Delimitation Bill, seeks to change the composition of the House of the People, increasing the strength of the Lok Sabha from 543 to 850 members. Currently, Odisha has 21 MPs, about 3.9% of the total. If the amendment is passed, Odisha's representation will rise to 29, but its proportion will fall to 3.4%," stated Patnaik.
He further noted that Odisha, which has been a frontrunner in moderating population growth and nurturing human capital, faces a potential 15% loss in political representation nationally if the bill gets passed.
"Our political voice and influence will be taken away to be redistributed in other states. Reports suggest that Odisha will be the fourth biggest loser in this whole exercise. This will be a huge blow to the aspirations of 4.5 crore Odias and a grave injustice to our future generations," Patnaik added.
The BJD supremo, in his letter to CM Majhi, stated that the regional party will welcome the Delimitation Bill only if Odisha's political rights remain intact.
Claiming that delimitation is not merely an issue of numbers, Patnaik said that the Bill strikes at the very spirit of cooperative federalism enshrined in the Constitution. He added that any reduction in political representation would undermine the aspirations of Odisha and its people.
"I appeal to you as the Chief Minister of Odisha to take up this issue strongly. You have the moral and legitimate power to do so. Future generations will not forgive us if we sit quietly while Odisha gets reduced to a politically insignificant state," noted Patnaik.
The LoP and BJD president also urged CM Majhi to convene a special session of the Odisha Assembly and pass a resolution within the next 48 hours, emphasising that none will be allowed to take away even 0.001 per cent of Odisha's political rights.
"Seeing the urgency of the matter, I request that a special session of the Assembly be convened within the next 48 hours to pass a resolution that not even 0.001% of the political rights of Odisha be allowed to be taken away by other states. I appeal to you as an Odia to take up this issue strongly. BJD will stand with you on this as it affects the fate and future of our beloved State and motherland Odisha," said Patnaik.
Meanwhile, the BJD president also welcomed the Women's Reservation Bill, saying that Odisha implemented 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions, and it actively supports national legislation for women's empowerment.
- IANS
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