Bhubaneswar, April 18 (NationPress) Senior MLA from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and former Odisha minister Arun Sahoo vehemently criticized the Central government's approach to the Women’s Reservation Bill, labeling the legislative actions as a mere political spectacle aimed at deflecting blame onto the Opposition and misleading the public.

In a statement to IANS, Sahoo contended that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance introduced the bill knowing full well they did not possess the requisite majority in the Lok Sabha.

He remarked, "This is a calculated maneuver. They are aware of their insufficient numbers but still chose to present the bill to portray the Opposition as unwilling to support women's rights."

Questioning the rationale behind reviving the issue, Sahoo pointed out that the Women’s Reservation Act had already been approved by both Houses in September 2023, with its execution dependent on delimitation and an anticipated expansion of parliamentary seats. He stated, "If the number of seats increases from 543 to approximately 850, then the 33% reservation will follow suit. This whole endeavor is a charade."

He described the current government initiative as a gimmick and a fiasco, emphasizing that the government failed to engage with Opposition parties or constitutional experts prior to advancing the legislation.

Expressing concerns about regional disparities, Sahoo highlighted that the proposed implementation based on seat delimitation could unfairly disadvantage Southern states.

"Southern states have made efforts to manage population growth. Why should they face repercussions for their responsible actions?" he questioned, suggesting that increasing representation in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar could foster a dangerous North-South divide.

In a significant blow to the Central government, a Constitution Amendment Bill aimed at establishing 33% reservation for women in legislative bodies by 2029, while also proposing to raise the number of Lok Sabha seats to 816, was rejected on Friday. The ruling party maintains that the fight for women’s rights will persist.

Addressing state-specific issues, the former minister accused the Union government of ignoring Odisha, despite the state contributing 20 MPs to the BJP's mandate.

He referred to BJD president Naveen Patnaik's recent call for all Odisha MPs, irrespective of party lines, to prioritize the state's interests over political affiliations.

"When 'Odiya Asmita'—a popular BJP slogan—is undermined by the Centre's own actions, we must unite with all parties to advocate for Odisha's welfare," Sahoo stated to IANS.

Regarding potential political reshuffles, he clarified that the BJD remains dedicated to the state's cause rather than formal alliances, welcoming anyone committed to championing the true spirit of Odisha.