New Delhi, April 16: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra reaffirmed his party’s support for the Women’s Reservation Bill, while expressing reservations about linking it with the Delimitation Bill. Patra drew attention to a letter written by BJD President Naveen Patnaik to Odisha MPs, underscoring the party’s long-standing commitment to promoting women’s representation, particularly in Panchayati Raj institutions in the state.
Patra’s statement came during an ongoing special session of Parliament, convened by the government to facilitate the passage of amendments to the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and the Delimitation Bill of 2026. The session, running until April 18, is crucial for the consideration and passage of several key legislative amendments, including the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2026, all tied to the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-first Amendment) Bill, 2026.
Patra quoted Naveen Patnaik’s letter, which emphasized the BJD's historical support for women’s reservation, particularly referencing the party's efforts to introduce such measures in Odisha’s Panchayati Raj system. However, Patra expressed concern about the current constitutional amendment, which links the Women’s Reservation Bill to the Delimitation Bill, raising doubts about its implications.
“The BJD has consistently supported the Women’s Reservation Bill, including in 2023. But we are wary of the current amendment, which links it with the Delimitation Bill. This poses significant concerns,” Patra told ANI.
Former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in his communication with state MPs, urged them to oppose the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill both inside and outside Parliament. Patnaik argued that states with substantial populations could be “penalized” by this Bill, reducing Odisha’s share in the Lok Sabha from 3.9% to 3.4%.
Patnaik described the potential loss of seats as a significant blow to the state’s political influence. "This reduction will limit Odisha’s voice in the Lok Sabha, impacting the state’s ability to advocate for critical issues like disaster management, tribal welfare, and regional development. This is not just a political issue; it’s about preserving the federal integrity of our Constitution," Patnaik wrote on X.
He also expressed the BJD's full backing for the 106th Constitution Amendment Bill in 2023, which pertained specifically to women’s reservation. Patnaik reminded MPs of his family's historical role in championing women's rights in Panchayati Raj institutions, further stressing the importance of ensuring that the constitutional amendments do not undermine Odisha’s position.
Patnaik also pointed out that the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill could skew the allocation of central resources and policy focus, negatively impacting states with large populations. This could potentially alter the balance of representation and resource distribution across the country.
The three key bills—the Constitution (131st) Amendment Bill, the Delimitation Bill, and the Union Territories Laws (Amendment) Bill—were presented for consideration in the Lok Sabha today. Following a vote, the final tally showed 251 AYES and 185 NOES out of 333 votes cast. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla announced that discussions on the bills would take place over the next 15 to 18 hours, with a scheduled vote at 4 PM on Friday.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the opposition's objections to the Delimitation Bill, which is being debated alongside the Women’s Reservation Amendment Bill. Modi dismissed claims of political self-interest, stating that any benefits from passing the bills would be shared by all parties. "If the bills are passed unanimously, no one will gain political advantage," he said, emphasizing the importance of passing the legislation.
PM Modi also advocated for the implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill starting from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections, urging MPs not to let this historic opportunity slip by. He highlighted that some moments in the life of a nation require leadership to capitalize on them, and the passage of these bills could be such a moment.
The special session of Parliament, scheduled for April 16, 17, and 18, will continue its deliberations on these significant bills, with voting expected to conclude on Friday.
