BJD Faces Internal Turmoil Over Waqf Bill: Young Leaders Demand Clarity

BJD's Leadership Confronts Discontent

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is grappling with unrest following its recent stance on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. To address the growing dissatisfaction, party leader and Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has called a meeting with senior officials, promising to implement necessary changes to alleviate concerns.

A faction of younger leaders, including several MLAs, convened separately to deliberate on the matter and presented a memorandum to Patnaik, urging him to refrain from further collaboration with the BJP, a practice the BJD has followed in the past.

Reports indicate that these young leaders are expected to meet with Patnaik on Wednesday.

During the voting of the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha, the BJD opted not to issue a whip, allowing MPs to vote according to their conscience. Sasmit Patra, the BJD's leader in the Upper House, had previously stated that the party would oppose the bill.

Consequently, some BJD MPs supported the bill while others opposed it.

Certain BJD members perceive this as an attempt to assist the BJP, blaming bureaucrat-turned-politician VK Pandian, who is seen as close to Patnaik, for the party's shift in position.

Discontented party supporters voiced their grievances against Pandian, who announced his retirement from active politics following the BJD's losses in the 2024 General and Odisha Assembly elections, outside Patnaik's residence, ‘Naveen Niwas’, on Monday.

The Lok Sabha passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, where the BJD has no representation, on Thursday, followed by its approval in the Rajya Sabha early Friday after extensive debates in both Houses.

Patnaik held discussions with former RS MP Anang Uday Singh Deo, BJD deputy leader in the assembly Prasanna Acharya, and former minister Debi Prasad Mishra on Tuesday.

Sources within the party reveal that the former chief minister sought their insights and conveyed a message to party members to uphold discipline, assuring that he would take appropriate actions.

Patnaik emphasized the importance of maintaining the BJD's secular image, especially in light of the Waqf Bill voting, as the Congress party could exploit the situation.

A senior leader noted, 'Muslims play a significant role in 20 of the 147 assembly segments in the state. The BJD has garnered Muslim support since 2000 after they distanced themselves from Congress. The party aims to retain this support.'

The community's frustration was evident from the protests at Naveen Niwas on Monday, according to the leader.

'This is a serious issue. While Patnaik is known for his silence, some party members have made noise to capture his attention,' he added.

Meanwhile, a group of young leaders, many of whom are the children of former MLAs and ministers with considerable local influence, gathered at a former MLA's residence to discuss the situation.

These young leaders submitted a memorandum to Patnaik through senior leader Debi Prasad Mishra, expressing their concerns regarding the aftermath of the Waqf Bill voting.

They urged the BJD president to avoid sending mixed signals to party workers by aligning with any national party, as it demoralizes them.

'The BJD has already faced significant setbacks in the 2024 general elections and Assembly polls due to its support for the BJP on various occasions. The party cannot afford further losses by endorsing BJP policies and bills,' stated a young leader.

The young leaders also highlighted that the BJD has functioned effectively because Patnaik has historically taken action against breaches of discipline.

'He should continue to take similar actions against those causing indiscipline,' they concluded in their memorandum.