Bhubaneswar, April 25: Odisha's opposition parties, the BJD and Congress, have criticized the state government's decision to call a special assembly session on April 30, which will focus on the theme of "Participation of Women in Indian Democracy."

Both parties have labeled the session as a "drama" and accused it of being politically motivated.

In contrast, the ruling BJP in Odisha defended the session, accusing the opposition of hindering efforts to implement the women’s quota in the legislature.

The special session, scheduled just days after the defeat of a Constitution Amendment Bill aimed at reserving 33 percent of seats for women in legislatures and expanding the Lok Sabha by increasing its seats to 816, has sparked intense political debate.