Bhubaneswar, April 16: Naveen Patnaik, president of the Biju Janata Dal, has written a strongly worded letter to Members of Parliament from Odisha, cautioning that the proposed 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill could adversely affect the state’s political and economic interests.

Extending greetings on the Odia New Year, Patnaik said he was writing not only as a party leader but also as a concerned Odia committed to safeguarding the state’s dignity and equitable representation. While reiterating full support for women’s empowerment, he recalled the legacy of Biju Patnaik and the party’s backing of the 106th Constitution Amendment Bill.

However, he expressed serious reservations about the 131st Amendment Bill, stating that any delimitation exercise must preserve the balance of federal representation. He warned that Odisha’s share in the Lok Sabha could decline from 3.9% to 3.4%, weakening its voice in national policymaking.

Patnaik stressed that representation is closely linked to Odisha’s identity and pride, cautioning that reduced presence in Parliament could marginalise the state and impact its ability to address critical issues like disaster management and regional development.

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