BHUBANESWAR: As opposition to the proposed Delimitation Bill raged ahead of the special session of the Parliament, Biju Janata Dal supremo Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday joined the debate raising concerns that Odisha might lose its proportional share in the Lok Sabha despite a marginal increase in the number of seats.
In a letter to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Naveen said that the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, which proposes to raise the Lok Sabha strength from 543 to 850, could dilute the representation of Odisha since the state had successfully controlled population growth.
Currently, Odisha has 21 seats in the Lok Sabha, translating to 3.9 per cent of the total. This, Naveen said, might rise to 29 after delimitation but the state’s proportional share could fall to 3.4 per cent which the Leader of Opposition described as a significant loss.
“Odisha, which has been a frontrunner in moderating population growth and nurturing human capital, faces a potential 15% loss in political representation nationally. Our political voice and influence will be taken away to be redistributed in other states,” his letter said.
Naveen said Odisha could be the ‘fourth biggest loser’ in the delimitation exercise and it would be a huge blow to the aspirations of 4.5 crore Odias and a grave injustice to the future generations.
While welcoming the Women’s Reservation Bill, Naveen made it clear that his party would support the delimitation only if the state’s political share is protected.
“We will welcome the Delimitation Bill only if Odisha’s political rights remain intact,” he stated. “This is not just about numbers. The Bill directly hits at the spirit of cooperative federalism enshrined in the Constitution. Any reduction in political rights will undermine the aspirations of Odisha and its people,” he said.
The Opposition leader urged the chief minister to take up the matter ‘strongly’ and called for convening of a special session of the Assembly within 48 hours to pass a resolution opposing any dilution of the state’s representation. “Future generations will not forgive us if we remain silent while Odisha is reduced to a politically insignificant state,” he said.
“I request that a special session of the Assembly be convened within the next 48 hours to pass a resolution that not even 0.001% of political rights of Odisha be allowed to be taken away by other states. I appeal to you as an Odia to take up this issue strongly. BJD will stand with you on this as it affects the fate and future of our beloved State and motherland Odisha,” the letter said.
On the Women’s Reservation Bill, the former chief minister said the BJD has always championed women’s representation, ensuring their presence in Parliament and state assemblies. Odisha implemented 50 per cent reservation for women in panchayati raj institutions and BJD actively supports national legislation for women’s empowerment, he added.