Bhubaneswar: Leader of Opposition in Odisha, Naveen Patnaik, has called upon Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to urgently address concerns regarding the proposed Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill. Shri Patnaik in a formal letter dated April 15, 2026,warned that the forthcoming delimitation exercise could significantly dilute Odisha’s political influence on the national stage.
While the amendment proposes to increase Odisha’s Lok Sabha seats from 21 to 29, Patnaik pointed out a statistical decline in the state’s proportional representation. Under the new expansion of the House of the People to 850 members, Odisha’s share of power would drop from 3.9 percent to 3.4 percent. The former Chief Minister characterized this shift as a penalty against Odisha for its successful efforts in moderating population growth and developing human capital.
Shri Patnaik grounded his appeal in the state’s historical identity, noting that Odisha was the first Indian state created on a linguistic basis in 1936. He argued that the sacrifice of freedom fighters and the state’s unique cultural heritage, including Shree Jagannatha culture, underpin a political voice that must remain intact. He further noted that reports suggest Odisha will be the fourth largest loser in political representation following this redistribution.
The letter also touched upon the Women’s Reservation Bill, with Shri Patnaik stating that while his party supports such empowerment measures, they must not come at the cost of the state’s political rights. He emphasized that any reduction in representation would undermine the spirit of cooperative federalism.
To address the situation, Shri Patnaik has requested the Chief Minister to convene a special session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly within 48 hours. He urged the passing of a resolution to ensure that not even a fraction of the state’s political rights is ceded to other states. Asserting that the Biju Janata Dal will stand with the government on this issue, Shri Patnaik framed the challenge as a vital test of regional loyalty and a necessity for protecting the aspirations of 4.5 crore Odias.