BJD’s flip-flop on Waqf Bill triggers internal turmoil

Bhubaneswar: For the first time since its defeat in last year's elections, Naveen Patnaik-led BJD faced serious internal turmoil over its inconsistent stance on the Waqf Bill, with senior party leaders openly challenging the leadership's decision-making process.
The party had initially opposed the Bill and later allowed members to vote according to their conscience in Rajya Sabha. This resulted in a split vote with four of the seven members opposing the Bill, two supporting it and one abstaining, BJD sources said.
The party, which holds 51 seats in the 147-member assembly, now faces one of its most significant challenges with members openly questioning the flip-flop.
A delegation of senior party members met Naveen at his residence and apprised him of their ‘concerns' after a meeting of party's advisory committee, under the chairmanship of deputy leader of opposition, Prasanna Acharya.
Acharya said the party chief was apprised of the opinion shared by leaders in the advisory committee. He avoided queries on what was Naveen's response regarding the change in stance on the Waqf Bill, adding that there is no change in the BJD's stand of being equidistant from the NDA and India Bloc, and commitment to secular values.
BJD sources said the leaders unequivocally told Naveen that not issuing a whip was a wrong decision, which may fuel indiscipline in the party. Before their meeting with Naveen, many senior leaders had expressed concern over the confusion in BJD's position on the Waqf Bill.
Wondering what triggered a last moment change, senior BJD leader and six-time MLA Badri Narayan Patra said, "The party president had explicitly directed members to oppose the Bill."
Patra, a former minister, added, "Naveen babu had personally instructed Muzibulla Khan twice — once during a recent Iftar party and again over phone — to vote against the Bill. There is something amiss." The BJD legislator did not rule out possible external pressure on the leadership for the decision change.
His BJD colleagues Shashi Bhusan Behera and Bhupinder Singh also expressed dismay over the lack of clarity in the party's stance. "All the senior leaders are concerned," Singh said.
BJD MP and party's national spokesperson Sasmit Patra, who voted for the Bill, said as the party leadership had asked them to vote as per conscience, he chose to vote in favour.
Meanwhile, Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) president Bhakta Charan Das alleged a possible deal between BJD and BJP. He said a faction within the BJD involving Naveen and his close associate V K Pandian may merge with the BJP.
Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan, however, dismissed Das's allegations, while BJP MLA Babu Singh characterised the situation as an internal discord within the BJD.