Bhubaneswar: The possible impact of the proposed delimitation exercise and women’s reservation bill on Odisha’s parliamentary representation has triggered a face-off between Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan and the BJD.On Sunday, Pradhan expressed surprise over leader of opposition in the assembly and former CM Naveen Patnaik’s reported apprehensions regarding Odisha’s representation in Parliament.In a post on X, Pradhan said he could not understand why Patnaik was expressing fear and surprise when Odisha stood to gain from the proposed increase in Lok Sabha seats.Calling Patnaik’s remarks baseless and ridiculous, Pradhan argued that the NDA govt, under PM Narendra Modi, had strengthened democratic representation by ensuring 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies.He said that during the debate on the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill on April 16 and 17, Union home minister Amit Shah had clearly stated that the representation of all states would increase by nearly 50%.Pradhan claimed that Odisha’s Lok Sabha strength could rise from 21 to 32 seats, creating opportunities for at least 11 women MPs from the state. “Truth-based facts are expected from a person like Naveen Babu,” Pradhan said, urging opposition leaders not to spread confusion among the people.Countering Pradhan, the BJD accused him of misleading the state. Party spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said Pradhan, a four-term MP, should know parliamentary procedures better.He argued that verbal assurances made during debates had no legal standing unless they were explicitly mentioned in the bill. “Not once did the home minister say Odisha’s Lok Sabha seats would go up from 21 to 32,” Mohanty said.
