Bhubaneswar, 19 April (H.S.): Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has strongly reacted to the statement made by Odisha’s Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik regarding the proposed increase in the state’s Lok Sabha seats.

Pradhan questioned why there should be any concern or opposition if Odisha’s parliamentary representation increases from 21 to 32 seats, calling it a positive and progressive development. He said such reactions are difficult to understand.

In a post on social media platform X, the minister described the Opposition leader’s remarks as misleading and said they were creating confusion among the people of the state. He termed the statement “baseless and laughable .”

Highlighting recent developments, Pradhan noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has ensured 33% reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies through the ‘Nari Shakti Vandan Act’.

He further stated that during discussions on the 131st Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament on April 16 and 17, Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified that representation of all states, including Odisha, is likely to increase by nearly 50 percent. This could raise Odisha’s Lok Sabha seats from 21 to 32.

According to Pradhan, the increase would enable at least 11 women from Odisha to enter Parliament. He added that the state’s current share in the Lok Sabha stands at 3.87 percent, which may rise to 3.91 percent after the increase, thereby strengthening Odisha’s role at the national level.

The minister also emphasized that senior leaders like Naveen Patnaik are expected to present fact-based statements, and urged against spreading misinformation, stating that accurate information serves the true interests of Odisha.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda