Odisha assembly special session on women and democracy draws BJD and Congress criticism

Odisha’s BJD and Congress have criticised the April 30 special session of the state assembly on women’s participation in Indian democracy, calling it politically motivated. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party says the opposition is obstructing steps to implement women’s reservation. The dispute follows debate over a constitutional amendment on women’s quota and delimitation.

Odisha’s BJD and Congress on Saturday criticised the Odisha Assembly’s planned special session on April 30. The session is set to discuss "Participation of women in Indian Democracy\". Both parties called the move a drama and politically driven. The BJP government said the opposition is stopping steps needed to bring women’s quota into force.

The special sitting was announced after the Constitution 131st Amendment Bill failed in the Lok Sabha. The bill aimed to enable 33 per cent reservation for women in legislatures by 2029. It also proposed raising Lok Sabha seats to 816 from 543. Several opposition parties, including the Congress, voted against the bill.

Odisha Assembly special session and women’s reservation bill dispute

BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo questioned the need for the April 30 session. \"What is the need for holding a special session on womens reservation while a bill in this regard has already been passed in 2023?\" Sahoo also said the BJP started street rallies after the bill was defeated, and accused the party of misleading people.

BJD MLA Ganeswar Behera alleged the session aims to confuse women in Odisha. Congress MLA Ashok Das also criticised the plan, calling it politically motivated. \"The womens reservation bill was passed in Parliament in 2023 with our support. Now, we demand implementation of the Act that was passed in 2023. There is no point in making drama by holding rallies and special sessions,\" said Congress MLA Ashok Das.

BJP response on Odisha Assembly special session and women’s quota

Senior BJP leader and minister Gokulananda Mallik said the session will discuss 33 per cent reservation for women. \"I strongly condemn the BJD and Congress for opposing the Prime Ministers initiative for womens reservation. It is hypocrisy of the BJD and the Congress. They are blocking the means to implement the womens quota,\" the minister said. Mallik also accused the opposition of shedding crocodile tears for women.

The BJD had earlier pushed for a special session on Odisha’s political rights linked to delimitation. Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik had sought debate after the delimitation bill surfaced. Patnaik, a former chief minister, wanted the women’s reservation bill separated from delimitation. Patnaik feared Odisha’s Parliament strength could fall after any new seat mapping.

Lok Sabha voting numbers were central to the bill’s defeat. The House saw 298 members vote in favour and 230 vote against. A total of 528 members voted on the proposal. The bill needed 352 votes to reach the two-thirds mark required for passage.

The Constitution 131st Amendment Bill linked implementation to a delimitation exercise using the 2011 Census. It proposed a bigger Lok Sabha to make the quota workable before the 2029 polls. It also planned higher seat counts in state and Union territory assemblies. These added seats were meant to fit the 33 per cent reservation for women.

With inputs from PTI