A day after Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo Naveen Patnaik urged Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to convene a special session of the State Assembly to discuss the Delimitation Bill, he appealed to Members of Parliament from the State to raise their voices against Bill, as “it could undermine Odisha’s dignity, representation, and long-term interests.”

In a letter addressed to MPs on Thursday (April 16, 2026), the veteran leader said, “the proposed linkage between women’s reservation and the delimitation process (131st Constitution Amendment Bill), which is expected to follow the next Census, has far-reaching implications.”

“States like Odisha, which have made significant strides in population control and human development are being penalized. A disproportionate increase in Lok Sabha seats in more populous States could skew the allocation of central resources and policy attention,” said the former Chief Minister.

“This may adversely impact Odisha’s share in national development priorities, fiscal transfers, and infrastructure investments. Odisha has been a large contributor to the revenue of the government and yet has always received discriminatory treatment including the denial of a special status. Our development needs are unique given the composition of our population,” he said.

“I urge you irrespective of party affiliation-to carefully consider the broader implications of this Amendment. It is imperative that we seek clarity, safeguards, and, if necessary, a decoupling of women’s reservation from the delimitation process,” said Mr. Patnaik, now the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly.

“We should only support the Amendment if Odisha’s share of representations is in no way reduced or compromised. I appeal to you to raise your voice both inside and outside Parliament to ensure that Odisha’s rightful place in the Union remains secure and respected,” he said.

“Let us stand united in protecting the interests of our state while continuing to support genuine and equitable reforms. BJD is prepared to take it to the people of Odisha if our legitimate concerns and demands are trampled by the majority voice of other States,” he added.

Stating that for the people of Odisha, representation in Parliament is not just about numbers, Mr. Patnaik said it is about identity, pride, and the assurance that the State’s unique history, language and aspirations are heard at the highest levels.

“Any move that diminishes our presence in the national discourse can create a sense of degradation among our people. We must ensure that progress for one section does not come at the cost of another’s voice. This is precisely what the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill is likely to deliver,” he said.  

The former five-time Chief Minister reiterated that the essence of Indian federalism lies in balanced representation. “Any delimitation exercise that alters this balance risks marginalizing States like ours in national decision-making. A relative reduction in Odisha’s voice in the Lok Sabha would weaken our ability to advocate for state-specific needs, from disaster management to tribal welfare and regional development,” said Mr. Patnaik.

The veteran leader said that if the Bill is implemented, it will reduce Odisha’s share in Lok Sabha from 3.9% to 3.4% making Odisha amongst the top six states losing their share. “A 0.5% share loss is a huge loss given our minuscule 3.9% representation today,” he said.

The BJD does not have any representation in Lok Sabha. In 2024, Odisha had sent 20 Bhartiya Janata Party MPs and one Congress MP to the Lower House. The BJD has six Rajya Sabha members.