TNI Bureau: Naveen Patnaik, Leader of Opposition in Odisha and president of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), has raised strong objections to the proposed 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill, cautioning that it could adversely affect the state’s political and economic standing.

In a letter dated April 16, 2026, addressed to Members of Parliament from Odisha, Patnaik reiterated his longstanding support for women’s empowerment but described the current structure of the bill as a “gross threat” to the state’s future. His concerns centre on the proposed linkage between women’s reservation and the delimitation exercise based on the upcoming Census.

Representation vs Reservation

Naveen Patnaik underscored that the BJD has consistently championed women’s reservation, tracing its roots to initiatives pioneered by his father, Biju Patnaik, in strengthening women’s participation in Panchayati Raj institutions. However, he argued that tying reservation to delimitation could undermine fair representation for states like Odisha.

Key Concerns

The BJD chief highlighted several risks associated with the proposed amendment:
Political Marginalisation: Odisha’s share in the Lok Sabha could decline from 3.9% to 3.4%. Despite an increase in seats from 21 to 29, the state’s relative influence may shrink by nearly 15%.

📌 “Penalty” for Progress: States that have effectively implemented population control measures could lose representation, while more populous states stand to gain disproportionately.

📌 Economic Implications: Reduced parliamentary representation may impact the allocation of central funds, fiscal transfers and infrastructure investments.

📌 Identity and Representation: Patnaik stressed that parliamentary strength is crucial to preserving Odisha’s linguistic, cultural and historical identity at the national level.

Call for Decoupling

Naveen Patnaik urged MPs across party lines to unite in protecting Odisha’s interests and called for the separation of women’s reservation from the delimitation process.

“We must ensure that progress for one section does not come at the cost of another’s voice,” he stated.

He also warned that the BJD would take the issue to the people if the state’s “legitimate concerns” are overlooked, signalling a potential political flashpoint in the coming months.