Naveen Patnaik Slams Odisha Govt Over Women’s Rights, Warns Against Delimitation Bill
Bhubaneswar, April 30: Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik launched a scathing attack on the Odisha government during the Special Assembly Session on the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, accusing the ruling BJP of failing women and undermining Odisha’s political rights.
Patnaik cited the shocking incident where a woman’s skeleton was carried to a bank by her family to claim dues, calling it a symbol of “apathy and zero accountability.” He noted that the case drew international coverage from the BBC and the New York Post, and even prompted a US travel advisory against visiting Odisha.
Highlighting BJD’s record, Patnaik reminded the House of his party’s initiatives — 33% reservation for women in local bodies (later raised to 50%) and 33% tickets to women in the 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
He reiterated support for the Women’s Reservation Bill (2023), demanding immediate implementation.
Patnaik strongly opposed linking the bill with the delimitation process, warning that it would reduce Odisha’s representation and political rights.
He urged MPs from Odisha to resist the move, declaring: “History will not forgive us if we support this.”
Assuring Odias, Patnaik vowed that as long as he remained in politics, Odisha would not be deprived of its rightful share.
