BJD's Internal Strife: Ranendra Pratap Swain Voices Concerns Over Waqf Act Controversy
BJD Faces Internal Dissent Over Waqf Act
Bhubaneswar: The internal conflict within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) appears to be escalating, as party members express dissatisfaction regarding the recent shift in stance on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
Veteran BJD figure Ranendra Pratap Swain, who has been elected eight times from the Athagarh Assembly constituency in Cuttack, has added his voice to the growing list of discontented leaders. He has publicly criticized the party's inconsistent position on the Waqf Act during the Rajya Sabha voting and other organizational matters.
In a letter addressed to BJD leader Naveen Patnaik, Swain highlighted that the unrest surrounding the Waqf Act raises significant concerns about the party's commitment to secularism.
He emphasized that the core principles of the BJD—social justice and secularism—are being challenged amid the ongoing disputes among party leaders.
Swain stated, "The recent dissatisfaction among party members regarding the Waqf Bill (now an Act) has cast doubt on our dedication to secularism. I strongly urge the party to reaffirm its commitment to social justice and secularism as foundational principles and to engage the cadre fully as we move forward."
As the party undergoes organizational elections, Swain also called on Patnaik to guarantee fair representation from all communities and regions, including SC/ST, OBC, and minorities, within the party structure.
He accused certain individuals of attempting to take control of the party, disrupt the social fabric, and exacerbate regional disparities.
"As the supreme leader of our party, you must ensure fair representation for all communities, particularly SCs, STs, OBCs, minorities, and women, in accordance with their population proportions, not just at the state level but also at district and block levels. We must prevent a few individuals from hijacking the party, distorting our social fabric, or worsening regional inequalities. Only then can our party truly embody the ideals of social justice and regional equity," he asserted.
In his letter, Swain recalled that former Odisha Chief Minister Biju Patnaik's political legacy was deeply rooted in social justice, with secularism and regional pride as integral components.
He noted that these values have been upheld under Naveen Patnaik's leadership as well.
"This is a crucial moment to reclaim our ideological heritage and reaffirm our identity as a party grounded in social justice, with secularism and regional dignity as its cornerstones," Swain urged.
Interestingly, the BJD had previously announced its opposition to the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Rajya Sabha. However, senior BJD leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra later stated that the party had not issued a whip, allowing MPs to vote according to their conscience. This statement has caused unrest among party leaders, leading to significant internal discord in recent days.