Naveen Patnaik Criticizes Odisha Government over Women's Empowerment Shortcomings

BJD President Naveen Patnaik criticized the Odisha government for the lack of women's empowerment, citing a case where a family had to exhumed remains to claim dues. He defended BJD's initiatives and attacked BJP for misinformation and undermining Odisha's political voice through the delimitation bill.

Naveen Patnaik, President of BJD, took a strong stance against the Odisha government during a special assembly session focused on women's empowerment. He criticized Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging introspection while highlighting the state's failings in addressing women's issues.

Patnaik referenced a troubling incident in Keonjhar where a tribal man's family had to present a woman's exhumed skeleton as evidence for bank withdrawals. This, he argued, displayed blatant disregard for women's rights and lack of administrative accountability.

Defending BJD's record, Patnaik cited women's reservations in local bodies and criticized BJP's lack of action, accusing them of political maneuvering with the delimitation bill that threatens Odisha's representation in Parliament. Patnaik urged for genuine women's rights efforts and protection of the state's political voice.