Bhubaneswar, April 19: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi strongly criticized the Congress for its role in the defeat of the 131st Constitution (Amendment) Bill, emphasizing that the opposition parties should not delude themselves into thinking they have thwarted women's reservation in Parliament and state assemblies.

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, accompanied by BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj, Majhi stated that the Congress is opposed to strong representation of women in both Parliament and state assemblies. He accused the opposition of attempting to block the advancement of women's rights in the political sphere.

Meanwhile, both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and Congress accused the BJP of using women’s reservation as a political tool to push through the controversial delimitation bill, which was ultimately blocked by the opposition.