What’s Brewing in BJD? Controversy Erupts Over Sasmit Patra’s Vote on Waqf Bill

BJD Leaders Demand Action Against Sasmit Patra

Bhubaneswar: On Saturday, a faction of senior leaders from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) called for decisive measures against Rajya Sabha MP and national spokesperson Sasmit Patra, accusing him of causing confusion among party lawmakers regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill vote in the Rajya Sabha.

Patra, who also leads the BJD in the Rajya Sabha, stirred controversy by announcing his support for the contentious Bill, despite the party's earlier stance to oppose it.

Following the BJD's declaration against the Bill, and with party MP Muzibulla Khan voicing opposition in the Rajya Sabha on April 3, Patra posted on X, suggesting that party members could vote according to their conscience, indicating no official directive was issued.

This statement led to uncertainty among lawmakers, prompting questions about Patra's authority to override the decisions made by BJD president Naveen Patnaik, who also chairs the parliamentary party.

Rajya Sabha MP Debasish Samantray expressed his confusion, stating, "I abstained from voting due to confusion... the party had previously decided to oppose the Bill, yet we were instructed to vote based on our conscience at the last moment."

However, he refrained from placing blame on Patra, asserting, "Sasmit Patra is not the villain here. He merely follows orders; the real authority lies with the 'chief advisor.'"

Samantray hinted at a potential arrangement between this 'chief advisor' and the BJP, suggesting a significant deal may have been struck.

He referenced the recent voluntary retirement of senior IAS officer Sujata R Karthikeyan, who is linked to Patnaik's former aide, as possibly being involved in this arrangement.

Two senior BJD leaders, Prafulla Samal and Pratap Jena, have formally requested Patnaik to take action against Patra for allegedly contradicting the party's position by supporting the Waqf Bill.

Ganeswar Behera, the MLA from the Muslim-majority Kendrapara constituency, also criticized Patra, questioning his authority to alter the party president's decision.

He stated, "Patra has made a mistake that warrants action. Only the BJD president can change the parliamentary party's decision, and no one else can. This is a serious breach of discipline."

In their letters to Patnaik, both Samal and Jena emphasized the BJD's commitment to the socio-economic upliftment of minority communities, including Muslims.

Samal remarked, "Instead of gaining the trust of minority communities, Patra's actions have tarnished the party's reputation. I urge you to take appropriate action."

Pratap Jena expressed his discontent with Patra's actions, labeling them as "anti-party" and "shocking," and called for an investigation into the matter.

He insisted, "We need to uncover who is behind this conspiracy and hold them accountable."

BJD MLA Badri Narayan Patra was particularly harsh, stating, "This situation arose from deliberate mischief. How could Sasmit Patra defy the BJD president's decision and announce a change of stance on his own social media? He has jeopardized the party's integrity, and this requires action."

A senior BJD leader, speaking anonymously, expressed concern that party representatives from Muslim-majority areas are anxious about the party's shift in stance on the Waqf Bill.

"Muslims, who make up over 2.17% of the state's population, have historically supported the BJD. This situation may lead them to reconsider their political allegiance to the Congress. The current scenario sends a negative message to the Muslim community," he noted.

While a group of senior BJD leaders met with Patnaik to discuss the issue on Friday, the BJD president has yet to comment on the ongoing political turmoil.

Patra was unavailable for comment as he was on a trip to Tashkent from April 5 to 9 as part of the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) delegation.

In response to these developments, Odisha BJP spokesperson Anil Biswal remarked, "These events suggest that Patnaik has lost control over his party MPs. He couldn't enforce a whip because he lacks command over the party."

Regarding the alleged 'deal' between the BJD and BJP concerning the Waqf Bill, Samal stated, "We do not engage in deals. The nation comes first for us. The people concerned about the rights of impoverished Muslims have supported the Bill. The seven BJD MPs are divided into three groups: those who supported the Bill, those who opposed it, and those who abstained. There is no consensus within the BJD."