Delimitation / Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Slams Naveen Patnaik Over CAB, Delimitation Bill Concerns; Calls Claims 'Misleading'
·4 days ago·3 min read
Key Points
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan rebutted Naveen Patnaik's concerns over the proposed delimitation bill, calling his claims "misleading" and "fear-inducing."
Bhubaneswar, Apr 17: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday strongly rebutted concerns raised by Leader of Opposition in Odisha Naveen Patnaik over the proposed Constitution Amendment Bill and the Delimitation Bill, calling his claims “misleading” and “fear-inducing.”
Taking to the social media platform X, Pradhan criticised Naveen’s letter to Odisha MPs opposing the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to expand the Lok Sabha strength.
“Your apprehensions appear to be an attempt to create fear. Such a reaction does not befit a leader of your experience,” Pradhan wrote, directly addressing the BJD supremo.
‘No Threat to Odisha’s Interests’
Countering Naveen’s claim that Odisha could lose political significance, Pradhan asserted that the allegation of harm to the state’s political and economic interests is “completely misleading.”
He further rejected Naveen’s calculation that Odisha’s Lok Sabha share could fall from 3.9% to 3.4% after delimitation.
“There is no truth in such figures. Odisha’s representation will increase; there is no question of it decreasing,” Pradhan stated, cautioning against spreading “false and misleading information” that could alarm the public.
Naveen Flags ‘15% loss’ Concern
On April 15, the former Odisha Chief Minister had warned that Odisha could emerge as one of the biggest losers if the Bill is passed, arguing that despite an increase in seats -- from 21 to a projected 29 -- the state’s overall share in Parliament would decline.
He claimed Odisha could face up to a 15% reduction in its political influence and urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to convene a special Assembly session within 48 hours to pass a resolution safeguarding the state’s interests.
Naveen described the proposed changes as a threat to cooperative federalism and warned that future generations would not forgive inaction.
Also Read: 'I'll Give You Credit': PM Modi Urges Parties to Pass Women's Reservation Bill by Consensus
Pradhan Backs Women’s Reservation Push
Pradhan further highlighted support for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, noting that Naveen’s party had backed the legislation.
“We should support it wholeheartedly. This amendment is not just about Odisha, but a historic step towards empowering women across India,” Pradhan wrote.
He added that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Odisha has remained a priority, and urged political leaders to avoid turning the issue into a controversy.
“While upholding the dignity of the Constitution, we must prioritise national interest over political gains,” the Minister wrote.
Taking to the social media platform X, Pradhan criticised Naveen’s letter to Odisha MPs opposing the Constitution (One Hundred and Thirty-First Amendment) Bill, 2026, which seeks to expand the Lok Sabha strength.
“Your apprehensions appear to be an attempt to create fear. Such a reaction does not befit a leader of your experience,” Pradhan wrote, directly addressing the BJD supremo.
‘No Threat to Odisha’s Interests’
Countering Naveen’s claim that Odisha could lose political significance, Pradhan asserted that the allegation of harm to the state’s political and economic interests is “completely misleading.”
The Minister emphasised trust in the Constitution and the Centre’s leadership, stating that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already clarified in Parliament that no state’s rights will be compromised.ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ବିରୋଧୀ ଦଳ ନେତା @Naveen_Odisha ବାବୁ, ଆପଣ ଗତକାଲି ରାଜ୍ୟର ସାଂସଦମାନଙ୍କୁ ପତ୍ର ଲେଖି ୧୩୧ତମ ସମ୍ବିଧାନ ସଂଶୋଧନ ବିଲ୍କୁ ନେଇ ଯେଉଁ ଆଶଙ୍କା ପ୍ରକଟ କରିଛନ୍ତି, ତାହା କେବଳ ଭୟ ସୃଷ୍ଟି କଲା ଭଳି ମନେହେଉଛି । ଆପଣଙ୍କ ଭଳି ଜଣେ ଅଭିଜ୍ଞ ରାଜନେତାଙ୍କ ପାଖରୁ ଏଭଳି ପ୍ରତିକ୍ରିୟା ଶୋଭା ପାଉନାହିଁ ।
— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) April 17, 2026
ଏହି ବିଲ୍ ପାରିତ ହେଲେ…
He further rejected Naveen’s calculation that Odisha’s Lok Sabha share could fall from 3.9% to 3.4% after delimitation.
“There is no truth in such figures. Odisha’s representation will increase; there is no question of it decreasing,” Pradhan stated, cautioning against spreading “false and misleading information” that could alarm the public.
Naveen Flags ‘15% loss’ Concern
On April 15, the former Odisha Chief Minister had warned that Odisha could emerge as one of the biggest losers if the Bill is passed, arguing that despite an increase in seats -- from 21 to a projected 29 -- the state’s overall share in Parliament would decline.
He claimed Odisha could face up to a 15% reduction in its political influence and urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to convene a special Assembly session within 48 hours to pass a resolution safeguarding the state’s interests.
Naveen described the proposed changes as a threat to cooperative federalism and warned that future generations would not forgive inaction.
Also Read: 'I'll Give You Credit': PM Modi Urges Parties to Pass Women's Reservation Bill by Consensus
Pradhan Backs Women’s Reservation Push
Pradhan further highlighted support for the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, noting that Naveen’s party had backed the legislation.
“We should support it wholeheartedly. This amendment is not just about Odisha, but a historic step towards empowering women across India,” Pradhan wrote.
He added that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Odisha has remained a priority, and urged political leaders to avoid turning the issue into a controversy.
“While upholding the dignity of the Constitution, we must prioritise national interest over political gains,” the Minister wrote.
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