Bhubaneswar: For the first time in BJD history, “Pandian Go Back” slogan rented the air at Naveen Niwas, the residence of BJD Supremo Naveen Patnaik.
BJD supporters have raised the slogan “Pandian Go Back…Pandian Leave Odisha” continuously at Naveen Niwas when senior BJD leader and MP Munna Khan was having a meeting with BJD Supremo today.
For the first time, V K Pndian, who is a close aide of Naveen Patnaik and his former private secretary facing the ire of the BJD supporters following the party’s sudden U-turn on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was passed in both houses of Parliament and implemented as a law.
From the very beginning of the Budget session of the Parliament, the party had decided to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. BJD President and Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik had also announced to oppose the Bill during the Iftar Party organised by the party here.
Even on April 1, two of its most prominent members—Sasmit Patra and Muzibulla Khan (Muna Khan)—publicly announced that they would oppose the legislation, citing party directives issued by Shri Patnaik.
However, in a dramatic turn of events the night when the Bill was supposed to pass in Rajya Sabha, Dr.Patra, the BJD’s leader in the Upper House, defied the earlier stance and voted in favor of the Bill, asserting that the party Supremo had granted MPs the liberty to vote according to their conscience.
This sudden U-Turn of Dr.Patra or party has surprised many including the tall leaders of the regional party. Since that night, one after another senior BJD leaders have openly spoken against the last moment decision announced by Patra.
First a dozen of senior BJD leaders met Shri Patnaik on the issue. Following this, two senior BJD ex-Ministers Prafulla Samal and Paratp Jena wrote to Shri Patnaik demanding action against Dr Patra.
Then, a host of BJD leaders including Prasanna Acharya, Badrinarayan Patra, Prafulla Ghadai, Pravat Tripathy, and Ganeswar Behera have spoken against the last moment decision of the party.
Apart from the senior BJD leaders, two RS MPs, Debasish Samantray and Munna Khan have also expressed their anger over the decision.
Munna Khan, who arrived here today from New Delhi, said that the BJD Parliamentary Board had unanimously decided to oppose the Waqf Bill, and the decision was backed by none other than the party President himself.
“There was no confusion. The instruction from Naveen Patnaik was very clear — we were to vote against the Bill,” Shri Khan said.
The BJD leader from a minority community said, “If someone wants to join the BJP, they are free to do so. But don’t stay in BJD and speak the language of another party. This kind of double-standard politics is unacceptable in our party.”
Dr.Patra’s decision has deeply hurt the sentiments of the minority community and could send a misleading message.
“We can’t afford mixed signals. The party must speak in one voice, especially on issues that impact public trust. I will personally inform Naveen Babu and urge appropriate action,” he concluded.
Later, Shri Khan, along with several members of the minority community, called on Shri Patnaik at his residence, Naveen Niwas. The delegation voiced concern over the matter and demanded action against those who went against the party’s stand.
“Members of our minority community met Naveen Patnaik and informed him about the issue. They demanded the suspension of those responsible. Shri Patnaik assured that he would resolve the matter soon after an inquiry,” Khan told reporters after the meeting.
BJD MP Shri Samantray has also blamed V K Pandian for the last moment change of decision on the Waqf Bill.
Prafulla Ghadei, a veteran BJD leader, has appealed to the party president to make a statement on the issue and clear the air.
Everyone wants to know who has given the direction to Dr.Patra to change the decision at the last moment when the party president himself declared to oppose the Bill.
Though no one has named any person, everyone was pointing towards Shri Pandian, who is still believed to be a powerful person in the party after Shri Patnaik.
Though Shri Pandian had announced retirement (Sanyas) from politics after BJD’s debacle in the 2024 polls, many BJD leaders still believe that he is trying to control the party from behind the screen. However, the irony is that no one publicly named him as he is under the shelter of Shri Patnaik, said a party insider.
However for the first time “Pandian Go Back’ slogan rented Naveen Niwas after the Wakf ‘U’ Turn.