In a fiery attack that has sent ripples through Odisha’s political landscape, former Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik has accused the BJP of betraying the state’s interests by supporting the proposed delimitation exercise tied to the women’s reservation bill.
Patnaik, who steered Odisha for over two decades, asserted that the BJD has consistently championed women’s empowerment—from grassroots panchayats to Parliament—while the BJP has failed to safeguard the state’s rightful political share in the Lok Sabha.
He declared:
“BJD has always stood for women’s empowerment, from the Panchayat level up to Parliament. We are completely against reducing the political power of Odisha through delimitation. The people of Odisha have witnessed as to who has fought for their rights and how the BJP compromised Odisha’s rights. People are indeed shocked that not a single BJP MP from Odisha raised their voice against this injustice. By supporting the reduction of political power for Odisha, the BJP stands exposed before the people of Odisha. BJD will always continue to fight for the rights of Odisha.”
The statement comes amid heated national debates on the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill and the fresh delimitation process based on the latest census data. Critics, including Patnaik, argue that the redrawing of boundaries could dilute the influence of states like Odisha even as total seats rise, tilting the scales toward more populous states.
Patnaik’s sharp words are being seen as a direct challenge to the BJP ahead of future electoral battles in Odisha, positioning the BJD as the uncompromising guardian of Odia pride and rights.
