Naveen Patnaik Urges Odisha MPs to Protect State Interests in Delimitation Bill

Former Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal supremo Naveen Patnaik has appealed to Members of Parliament from Odisha to safeguard the state's interests regarding the proposed Delimitation Bill. In a letter dated April 16, 2026, Patnaik warned that linking women’s reservation with the delimitation process, as outlined in the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill, could severely undermine Odisha’s dignity, political representation, and long-term interests. He argued that states like Odisha, which have achieved significant progress in population control and human development, are being unfairly penalized by potential changes in parliamentary seat allocation based on future census data. Patnaik urged MPs to raise their voices against the bill if it fails to protect Odisha's equitable representation. This appeal follows his earlier request to current Chief Minister Mohan Majhi to convene a special session of the State Assembly to discuss the implications of the bill. The controversy centers on the fear that successful population stabilization efforts by certain states may result in reduced political power compared to states with higher population growth.