Bhubaneswar, Dec 18: In a significant development, several BJP MLAs in Odisha have urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to reconsider the recent decision to increase the salaries, allowances and pensions of legislators. The appeal was made during the Legislature Party meeting held on Thursday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukesh Mahaling informed.

The request comes at a time when public debate has intensified over the Odisha Assembly’s passage of four bills that substantially enhanced the remuneration of MLAs, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, Ministers, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Minister. The legislators reportedly emphasised that any revision of salaries must reflect public sentiment and broader expectations of accountability.

Earlier, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President and Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik announced his decision to forgo the enhanced salary and allowances. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Majhi on Saturday, Patnaik stated that he would not accept the revised benefits. He also urged the Chief Minister to channel his own salary and allowances toward public welfare initiatives.

Also Read: Odisha MLAs Demand Salary Hike, Raise In Ex- Legislators’ Pension

The BJP MLAs’ request signals an emerging internal dialogue within the ruling party on balancing administrative decisions with public perception. While the salary revision was passed legislatively, the growing calls for reconsideration suggest that the government may need to reassess the timing and optics of the move.

As discussions continue, the state government faces the challenge of aligning institutional decisions with public expectations, especially in a period marked by heightened scrutiny of political privileges and governance priorities.