BJP, Congress corner BJD on demand for women’s reservation bill

The Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress on Friday targeted the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over its demand for the passage of the women’s reservation bill in the Parliament, accusing it of playing the women card to woo voters in the state. 

Acting on the direction of the BJD supremo, Naveen Patnaik, MP Sasmit Patra intensified the demand for 50 percent reservation for women in both Parliament and state assemblies through a special mention in the Rajya Sabha. 

However, the state units of the BJP and Congress took a swipe at the BJD for the ruling party's yet another attempt to play the women card. 

The Congress asked the BJD to support the no-confidence motion brought by the opposition INDIA block against the BJP government. 

“If they (the BJD) are saying that the demand for the passage of the women’s reservation bill is their big demand then they should also tell the BJP that if the bill is not passed we won’t be with you in the no-confidence motion,” said senior Congress leader, Jayadev Jena. 

On the other hand, the BJP asked the BJD to pass the bill in the State cabinet first. 

“Whenever an election approaches, the BJD always comes with a tactic to woo votes.  They should first get the bill passed in their own cabinet,” said the president of the State BJP Mahila Morcha, Smruti Pattanayak. 

In its response, the BJD said the Chief Minister has created a record in giving reservation to women candidates during the Panchayat and Municipal elections. 

“In the Panchayat and Municipal elections, the CM has already given 50 percent reservation to women. I want to mention here that the Chief Minister is always thinking about the state’s welfare,” said BJD MLA, Swarup Das. 

According to political analysts, if the BJD goes for 33 percent reservation for women in 2024, then it will have to give tickets to 49 women candidates out of the total 147 seats which will give rise to resentment in the party. 

“If the BJD gives 33 percent reservation to women, there will be conflict in the party as many aspiring leaders would lose their seats to women candidates,” said senior journalist, Rabi Das.