A special one-day session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly began in Bhubaneswar this morning, with deliberations centred on “Participation of Women in Indian Democracy”. Convened amid renewed national debate on women’s political representation, the session focuses on strengthening women’s role in governance, policy-making, and legislative institutions.

The ruling BJP moved a motion highlighting its commitment to women’s empowerment and support for greater representation, while also criticising opposition parties over their stand on the Women’s Reservation Bill at the national level. Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik attended the session, as BJD and Congress members emphasised their parties’ contributions to women’s participation in electoral politics and party structures. BJP legislators, in turn, targeted previous governments on women-related issues. Extensive security arrangements have been put in place for the session.