BHUBANESWAR: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is facing internal turmoil over its ambiguous position on the Waqf bill, which was passed in the Rajya Sabha early Friday morning.
Senior party leaders raised concerns during an advisory committee meeting chaired by Prasanna Acharya, questioning the party’s apparent reversal on the Bill. The absence of a party whip led to split voting among BJD MPs, with Sasmit Patra supporting the Bill while Muzibulla Khan voted against it. The voting records of five other party members remain undisclosed.
“The party president had explicitly directed members to oppose the Bill,” said committee member Badri Narayan Patra. “Naveen Patnaik personally instructed Muzibulla Khan twice – once during a recent Iftar party and again via phone – to vote against the Bill. The confusing situation is concerning. There is something amiss,” said the senior MLA and former minister.
Fellow committee members Shashi Bhusan Behera and Bhupinder Singh also expressed their dismay over the lack of clarity in the party’s stance. “We await a meeting with party chief Naveen Patnaik for full clarification,” Singh stated, adding, “All the senior ministers are concerned.”
Meanwhile, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das has alleged a possible deal between BJD and BJP. He said a faction of Naveen and his close associate VK Pandian may merge with BJP leaving others. Former OPCC president Prasad Harichandan said BJD leadership should clarify its stand. BJP MLA Babu Singh characterized the situation as internal discord within the BJD, noting similar tensions in recent days.
The controversy highlights growing tensions within the ruling party, with some members suggesting possible external pressure on the leadership. Party officials indicate that further discussions with the party chief will be crucial in resolving the matter.
Sasmit, when contacted, said as the party leadership had asked them to vote as per their conscience, he chose to vote for the Bill.
While opposing the Bill in Rajya Sabha, BJD MP Khan said the land possessed by Waqf Board is land donated to it by “our forefathers” for the development activities to serve the people for hospitals, madrasas and other such public causes.
“The Muslim community in the entire country is concerned that there would be non-Muslim members in the Waqf Board, which is being seen as an unnecessary govt interference,” Khan said, adding, the govt is losing the community’s trust. He said the govt should work to remove fear in the minds of Muslims.