Odisha Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik has announced today 33 per cent quota for women in the allocation of tickets by his party Biju Janata Dal (BJD) for 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Patnaik made the announcement while addressing the Conclave organised by the Women Self Help Group (SHG) under Mission Shakti. “I would like to announce here at Kendrapara, the ‘karma bhoomi’ of legendary Biju Babu, that Odisha will send 33 per cent women to Parliament in the coming elections”, the CM said.
He said that if India wants to be an advanced country like America and China then women empowerment is the only way to it. “The women of Odisha will lead the way in women empowerment in India. If India is to lead the world if India is to be an advanced nation like America and China, then women empowerment is the only answer,” Patnaik added.
An amount of Rs 1 crore has also been sanctioned by the Chief Minister for Mission Shakti Bhawan at Kendrapara. In 2011, the Odisha government had increased reservation for women in Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies to 50%.
Patnaik’s proposal for women reservation received praise from the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in February this year. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the support extended by your government in the implementation of the joint programme between UN Women and Panchayati Raj Department, Government of Odisha, to promote Gender Responsive Governance in the state”, the letter of the UN Women addressed to the Odisha CM read.
Patnaik had passed a proposal in November last year seeking the implementation of the 33% reservation for women in Parliament and State Assemblies which had received the support of the BJP and the Congress in the State Assembly.
In January this year, Patnaik had said that BJD will not be joining the Mahagathbandhan for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and will maintain the policy of equidistance from the BJP and the Congress.