Odisha Chief Minister and Biju Janta Dal Chief Naveen Patnaik on Sunday in the first kind of such move announced 33 per cent reservation for women by his party, Biju Janta Dal (BJD) in the allocation of the Lok Sabha seats for the General Elections 2019.
Fourth time Chief Minister, who is seeking another term in the Office on Sunday made the announcement while speaking in a Mission Shakti function in Kendrapada District of the state. Patnaik said Odisha will send 33 per cent women Parliamentarians to the Lok Sabha this time.
Naveen Patnaik’s announcement to reserve 33 per cent in ticket allocation came on the backdrop of news reports that suggest that BJD is planning to drop tickets for many sitting MPs to counter anti-incumbency factor. Sources claimed that many of sitting MPs in the state has served more than one-time term and the party is keen to reduce anti-incumbency factor by cutting their tickets.
In 2014 General Elections, BJD totally swept the state by bagging 20 seats out of 21 seats while banking on ‘Modi Wave’ the saffron party could only manage to get 1 Lok Sabha Seat in the state. While in 2014 State Polls, BJD had won 117 seats while leaving just 16 for the Congress and 10 for the Bhartiya Janta Party.
In November 2018, Naveen Patnaik led State Government had passed a resolution demanding that Parliament enact a law for 33 per cent women in Parliament and State Assemblies.
Reacting on the announcement, BJD MP Pinaki Misra lauded Naveen Patnaik’s move said “It is an extraordinary step by an Extraordinary Leader. It is a path-breaking and revolutionary move. Naveen Patnaik has shown a path for other political parties in the state. I expect BJP and Congress to follow the same in Odisha at least”. He added he would be happy if a woman contests from my seat.
Another BJP MP and Journalist Tathagata Satpathy also welcomed the move to give 1/3rd tickets to women by BJD Chief in upcoming Lok Sabha Polls.
While Senior Journalist Rabi Das said as quoted by News18 that Chief Minister Patnaik enjoys good support from women across Odisha. She pointed out that there are many factors for which Mission Skakti being one of them. While this announcement, Naveen Patnaik will further consolidate that support among women.
Naveen Patnaik who had earlier maintained not to go with any party in alliance terms will be facing aggressive Bhartiya Janta Party and Congress who is busy in stitching alliance with Hemant Soren’s Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).
General Elections are slated for April-May this year that would spread on Seven Phases starting from April 11 to May 19. Election Commission had on Sunday declared schedule for General Elections 2019. Results for the crucial Lok Sabha Polls will be announced on May 23 four days after the 7th phase of voting.
State Polls in Odisha would be held simultaneously and will have polling in four phases – April 11, 18, 23 and 29.
ALSO READ:
- After Jharkhand, Hemant Soren’s JMM to Stitch Alliance with Congress in Odisha for Lok Sabha and State Polls
- Lok Sabha Polls 2019 Dates Announced: Voting to begin from April 11, Results on May 23, Total 7 Phases
- Samajwadi Party Announces First List of Candidates for LS Polls 2019; Mulayam Singh to Contest from Mainpuri