Bhubaneswar: A palpable tension gripped Naveen Niwas on Tuesday as former Chief Minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Supremo Naveen Patnaik, in response to queries about the contentious Wakf Bill, stated, “I have not spoken to anyone on Wakf.” The declaration was met with an “eerie silence” among the assembled BJD leaders, according to sources present at the meeting.
Shri Patnaik’s terse statement comes amidst swirling allegations that he was directly responsible for the BJD’s sudden shift in stance on the Wakf Amendment Bill. The party’s initial decision to oppose the bill was seemingly overturned, leading to a split vote among its Rajya Sabha MPs and sparking accusations of a behind-the-scenes deal.
Shri Patnaik was having a crucial meeting with key leaders of the BJD at his residence, Naveen Niwas, amidst growing internal discord over the party’s stance on the legislation.
BJD Veterans Ananga Udaya Singh Deo, Prasanna Achrya, Debi Prasad Mishra, Pratap Kesari Deb, Arun Sahoo, Sanjay Dasburma, Pranab Prakash Das and others were present, when Shri Patnaik spoke on the issue.
Now question arises what prompted Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra to take the stand contradictory to that of BJD. This has soiled image of BJD Supremo, who is known as ‘Secular’ Icon
While the BJD’s Parliamentary Board decided to oppose the Wakf Bill in the ongoing parliamentary session. Sources within the party indicated a firm consensus was reached during the board meeting to voice their dissent against the proposed legislation.
However, the party’s unified front suffered a jolt when Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra defied the party line and voted in favor of the Wakf Bill. This act of defiance was further amplified by a subsequent tweet from Dr.Patra seemingly justifying his vote, creating a stir within the BJD and drawing sharp criticism from party colleagues.
While the agenda of Tuesday’s meeting at Naveen Niwas was officially undisclosed, it is widely speculated that the Wakf Bill controversy and the subsequent actions of Sasmit Patra were high on the list of discussions.
Shri Patnaik’s terse response to the query of leaders as to why Sasmit Patra went against party line in the meeting has only added to the intrigue surrounding the party’s internal dynamics on this sensitive issue.
BJD Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantaray publicly stated that “chief advisor” was responsible for the BJD’s change of stance on the Wakf Bill, hinting at a “deal” with the BJP.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s last-minute decision to allow MPs to vote according to their “conscience,” contradicting the earlier stance to oppose the bill.
The apparent contradiction between the Parliamentary Board’s decision and a party MP’s vote has raised questions about the level of cohesion within the BJD. Political analysts suggest that this episode could expose underlying differences within the regional party on matters of national importance.
It remains to be seen what course of action the BJD leadership will take regarding Sasmit Patra’s dissent. The party is yet to issue an official statement addressing the MP’s vote or the details of the meeting held at Naveen Niwas.
The Wakf Bill has been a subject of considerable debate across the country, and the BJD’s internal struggle highlights the complex political considerations surrounding the legislation.