Political Turmoil in Odisha: BJD's Last-Minute Shift on Waqf Bill Raises Eyebrows

BJD's Unexpected Stance on Waqf Bill

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal's (BJD) sudden reversal regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill has ignited a fierce political discussion in Odisha. The Congress party has accused the BJD of maintaining a covert alliance with the BJP.

Currently, the BJD holds seven seats in the Rajya Sabha but has no representation in the Lok Sabha.

Initially, the BJD had declared its intention to oppose the Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

However, just hours before the voting took place, Rajya Sabha MP and party spokesperson Sasmit Patra announced that BJD members could vote according to their personal beliefs.

"We acknowledge the varied opinions from different minority groups regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. After careful consideration, we have allowed our Rajya Sabha members to vote based on their conscience, prioritizing justice, harmony, and the rights of all communities. There is no party directive," he shared on his X account.

Later, Patra confirmed to reporters that he had voted in favor of the Waqf Bill in the Rajya Sabha.

In contrast, senior party member Munna Khan publicly opposed the Bill during the session.

The Congress party criticized the BJD for its abrupt change in position regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

"BJD MPs were urged to vote based on their conscience, yet their senior leader Sasmit Patra supported the government. The alliance between BJD and BJP remains strong. They cannot mislead the people of Odisha by pretending to be at odds. Congress stands as the only viable alternative in Odisha," the Odisha Congress stated on its X account.

In light of the backlash, senior leader Prasanna Acharya mentioned that the party had resolved to oppose the Bill during a parliamentary meeting.

"From what I understand and what has been communicated by our MPs, it was agreed in the parliamentary meeting to oppose the Bill... The BJD has always upheld secular values. However, I learned today that there was no party directive, leading to mixed votes. We will soon consult our party President to clarify this unexpected turn of events," Acharya remarked.

It is important to note that the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was passed by Parliament after receiving approval from the Rajya Sabha early Friday morning. The Lok Sabha had previously approved the Bill after nearly 12 hours of debate, with 288 votes in favor and 232 against.