BJP vs BJD: Tug of war over legacy of women’s empowerment

Ahead of a special three-day session of Parliament , a political tussle has intensified in Odisha between the BJP and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), with both parties claiming credit for advancing women’s empowerment as amendments to the Women’s Reservation Act come up for discussion.

The BJP credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. In contrast, the BJD highlighted the legacy of former chief minister Biju Patnaik and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik, asserting that Odisha had pioneered such reforms decades earlier.

The Women’s Reservation Act , or Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam , passed in 2023, proposes expanding the Lok Sabha to 816 seats , with 273 reserved for women . However, its implementation depends on the delimitation exercise after the 2027 Census , delaying enforcement until at least 2034 under current provisions. The Centre is now seeking amendments to enable implementation from the 2029 Lok Sabha elections .

Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said women, despite forming nearly 48.5 per cent of the population , remain underrepresented in politics. She described the law as a “transformative step” and highlighted central schemes such as Ujjwala Yojana , Awas Yojana , Jal Jeevan Mission , Jan Dhan Yojana , and Lakhpati Didi , along with Odisha’s Subhadra Yojana , as key drivers of empowerment.

Countering this, BJD leaders said Biju Patnaik introduced 33 per cent reservation in panchayats , while Naveen Patnaik later increased it to 50 per cent and promoted women in traditionally male-dominated roles . They also noted his efforts in building national consensus on the bill.

As Parliament prepares to debate crucial amendments, the political sparring reflects a broader contest over credit for a landmark move toward gender-inclusive governance .