Senior MP and BJD Parliamentary Party leader in the Rajya Sabha, Manas Ranjan Mangaraj, praised the defeat of the Women’s Reservation Bill in Parliament, emphasizing it as a setback for the controversial Delimitation Bill (131st Constitutional Amendment). This victory is particularly significant for states like Odisha, which faced potential loss of representation in the Lok Sabha due to the Delimitation Bill.
Manas Ranjan Mangaraj, through social media, clarified that it was the Delimitation Bill, not the Women’s Reservation Bill, that faced defeat in Parliament. He commended the efforts of BJD president Naveen Patnaik in rallying support against the Delimitation Bill from the state government and Odisha MPs. Patnaik’s proactive stance on this issue was highlighted by Mangaraj.
Highlighting the lack of support from 20 BJP MPs from Odisha, Mangaraj expressed disappointment in their failure to prioritize the state’s interests over party directives. Despite this, he emphasized the importance of truth prevailing and justice being served, crediting their leader’s unwavering dedication to fighting for Odisha and its people.
Reacting to the Women’s Reservation Bill’s failure in the Lok Sabha, Odisha BJP Mahila Morcha President Aishwarya Biswal criticized the prioritization of political considerations over women’s empowerment, labeling it a “very sad day for democracy.” The defeat of the Constitution Amendment Bills, aimed at amending the women’s reservation law and increasing Lok Sabha seats for the 2029 general elections, occurred after extensive debates in the Lower House.
