BJD Faces Backlash Over Waqf Bill Vote: Crisis Or Calculated Move?
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is facing internal unrest after unexpectedly supporting the ‘Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025’ in the Rajya Sabha. The move has triggered discontent among the minority community in Odisha, who feel betrayed by the party’s shift in stance.
BJD’s lone Muslim Rajya Sabha MP, Munna Khan, led a delegation of Muslim community representatives to meet party president Naveen Patnaik at his residence, Naveen Niwas, on Monday. The group demanded clarity and action over what they described as a betrayal. “You’re not just a political leader to us—you’re like family, a father figure. If you don’t ensure justice, who will?” said one of the representatives during the meeting.
Naveen Patnaik assured them that he would look into the matter. Responding to the backlash, he said, “Whatever needs to be done will be done,” indicating that steps would be taken to address the controversy surrounding the party’s sudden shift on the bill.
Senior party leader Bhupinder Singh likened the situation to a Kalabaisakhi, a short, intense summer storm, implying the crisis would soon pass, even as he acknowledged the presence of internal rifts that the party must confront.
The controversy began when BJD MP Sasmit Patra voted in favour of the bill, despite the party’s earlier opposition to it. His vote caught many off guard and sparked internal protests. Senior leaders like Pratap Jena and Prafulla Samal demanded disciplinary action and questioned the abrupt change in the party line. Patra, who was reportedly abroad during the backlash, has yet to issue any statement.
Adding to the confusion, BJD MP Debasish Samantray, who abstained from voting, claimed he was following instructions and hinted that the real decision-makers operated behind the scenes. His remarks have fuelled speculation that Patra did not act on his own.
Many observers believe that in BJD, little happens without Naveen Patnaik’s knowledge, raising suspicions that the controversy may be orchestrated. Critics argue that the outrage is a calculated strategy to reassure minority voters by distancing party leadership from the pro-bill stance. By allowing individuals like Patra to take the fall, the party could be attempting to manage its image and avoid alienating its base.
The BJD has a track record of supporting the BJP in Parliament. However, this time, the party found itself in a bind supporting the bill risked upsetting Muslim voters, while opposing it could invite accusations of minority appeasement. Political analysts suggest Naveen opted for a middle path, allowing MPs to vote according to their conscience while handling the political fallout through internal dissent.
As calls grow for introspection and accountability, the episode has revealed rare cracks in BJD’s usually tight ship. Whether this was a political miscalculation or a calculated balancing act, its long-term impact on the party’s image and its minority support remains uncertain.
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