By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Niranjan Bishi has written a strong letter to the Chief Minister of Odisha demanding proper implementation of Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation across the state in the proposed 2027 Panchayati Raj Institution elections.
The Rajya Sabha MP stated that Odisha, one of the major tribal-populated states of India, must ensure fair and adequate political participation of tribal communities in grassroots democracy.
According to the 2011 Census, Odisha has 9,590,756 Scheduled Tribe citizens, constituting 22.85% of the total population, with 64 recognized tribal communities residing in the state.
He said that the Constitution of India, through Articles 330, 332, 243D, 243T, 244 and 338A, clearly guarantees political representation and safeguards for tribal communities, and these provisions must be implemented in letter and spirit.
Mr. Bishi demanded that in the 2027 Panchayat elections, ST reservation should be ensured according to population proportion and roster system for the following positions:
Sarpanch
Ward Members
Panchayat Samiti Members
Block Chairpersons
Zilla Parishad Members
Zilla Parishad Presidents
He emphasized that Panchayati Raj is the first step of democracy. If tribal communities do not receive fair representation at the village level, the constitutional vision of social justice will remain incomplete.
The MP urged the state government to immediately review reservation rosters, seat allocation, and legal provisions so that the tribal society receives its rightful democratic share in the 2027 elections.
“Without adequate tribal representation, grassroots democracy cannot be completed said former Member of Parliament Rajyasabha Niranjan Bishi
