Dama Rout slams BJD’s push for women’s reservation

Bhubaneswar: At a time when the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is going all guns blazing to garner support of major national and regional parties for its proposal of 33% reservation for women in Parliament & State Assemblies , senior leader Damodar Rout today termed such attempts of the ruling party as mere ‘political gimmick.’

While speaking during an event organised by Odisha Sochana Adhikar Abhiyan in Cuttack, Rout said that as elections are round the round the corner, BJD is raking up the issue.

“It is now over 20 years that the issue of women’s reservation is pending and has not been passed in the Parliament. Naveen Patnaik has been in power for almost 18 years and was silent on it so far. But as elections are round the corner, he is now raising the issue,” alleged Rout.

Responding to Damodar Rout’s allegations, BJD leader Pratap Jena stated that “BJD is doing its duty and the person (Dama Rout), who is not in our party, doesn’t have any right to comment on the affairs of the party.”

It is pertinent to mention here that Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik had recently written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging that the Women’s Reservation Bill – seeking 33% reservation for women in state Legislative Assemblies and Parliament – should be passed in Parliament.

Moreover, the BJD has also formed several teams comprising senior leaders to garner support of 22 parties, including seven national, for 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies.