Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in an election rally in Kendrapara on Sunday announced 33% per cent reservation for women in the allocation of Lok Sabha seats by the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) in the coming general elections.
Addressing the Mission Shakti women SHG members at Kendrapara, Patnaik underpinned the leadership role of Odisha and Biju Babu in securing the rights of women and gender equality.
“I would like to announce here at Kendrapara, the karma bhumi of legendary Biju Babu, that Odisha will send 33 per cent women to Parliament in the coming elections,” said Patnaik.
“CM @Naveen_Odisha announced historic decision of #Odisha to send 33% #women to #Parliament in ensuing #elections2019. #BijuBabu pioneered 33% reservation for women in PRIs & later increased to 50%, will lead the way for #WomenEmpowerment in India,” CMO Odisha tweeted.
“CM @Naveen_Odisha had earlier spearheaded an initiative to involve national parties and Chief Ministers for 33% reservation for #women in Parliament and State Legislatures to enable India to lead the world & compete with nations like USA & China,” CMO added.
The state has 21 Lok Sabha constituencies.
Patnaik said the women of Odisha will lead the way in women empowerment in India.
In 2018, Patnaik had passed a proposal to provide 33 per cent reservation for women in both the Parliament and state legislatures.
