Odisha: BJP, BJD spar over credit for women’s empowerment

BHUBANESWAR: (Apr 13) Ahead of a special three-day sitting of Parliament during which proposed amendments to the Women's Reservation Act are likely to be brought for consideration and passage, the BJP and the BJD in Odisha engaged in a war of words on Sunday, each claiming to be the true champion of women’s empowerment.

The ruling BJP gave all credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the women's quota in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, while the BJD claimed that ex-chief minister Biju Patnaik and Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, Naveen Patnaik, had fought for such a reservation.

The Women's Reservation Act will ensure an increase in the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, of which 273 will be reserved for women. The provision to provide 33 per cent reservation to women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies was brought by amending the Constitution in 2023.