BJD leaders demand action against Patra

Bhubaneswar: With BJD’s flip-flop on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has already laid bare the party’s internal rift, a section of its senior leaders Saturday demanded strong action against Sasmit Patra for ‘creating confusion’ among lawmakers ahead of the voting on the Bill.

At least two senior BJD leaders- Prafulla Samal and Pratap Jena- have written letters to party supremo Naveen Patnaik demanding action against Patra for ‘going against the party’s stand by voting in support of Waqf Bill. ’ Also, Ganeswar Behera, the sitting MLA of Muslim-dominated Kendrapara Assembly segment, criticised Patra, questioning, “Who gave Patra the authority to change the party president’s decision?” “He has committed a mistake for which he is liable to action. Only the BJD president has the authority to change the decision of the Parliamentary Party and nobody else,” he told reporters, adding that this amounts to gross indiscipline.

Both Samal and Jena, in their letters to Patnaik, stated that the BJD continues to fight for the socio-economic development of minority communities, including Muslims. Jena expressed displeasure over Patra’s action and termed the move ‘anti-party’ and ‘shocking. “Patra’s recent social media posts reflect a mindset that contradicts the BJD’s ideological position,” Jena said. Jena also raised suspicion over Patra’s behaviour and demanded a thorough inquiry into the matter.

“We must investigate who is behind this conspiracy, and people responsible for this should be held accountable,” he said, demanding disciplinary action against Patra. BJD MLA and former minister Badri Narayan Patra said, “This situation is a result of a deliberate mischief. How could Sasmit Patra dare to defy the BJD president’s decision and announce on his X handle regarding the change of stand? He has put the entire party in a fix, and this calls for action.”

A senior BJD leader, on condition of anonymity, said party leaders representing Muslim-dominated constituencies are worried following the party’s change of stand on the Bill. “The Muslims, who constitute over 2.17% of the state’s population, have all along supported the BJD. Now, they may change their political affiliation to the Congress. The present situation has given a wrong message to the Muslim community,” he said.

Though a section of senior BJD leaders met Patnaik and held discussions on the matter Friday, the BJD president was yet to give any remark on the prevailing political situation. Patra could not be contacted as he was on a tour to Tashkent from April 5 to 9 as part of the delegation of the 150th Assembly of Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Reacting to the developments, Odisha BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal said, “The recent developments indicate that Patnaik has lost control over his party MPs.

He could not impose a whip on them because he does not have command of the party.” On allegations about a ‘deal’ between BJD and BJP over the Waqf Bill, Samal said, “We do not do deals. Nation is first for us. People worried about the rights of poor Muslims have supported the Bill. The seven BJD MPs have been divided into three categories: one who supported the Bill, those who opposed it and one who abstained from voting. There is no unanimity in the BJD.

PNN

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