Bhubaneswar: After getting surprised with the party’s sudden U-turn on Waqf (Amendment) Bill, some senior BJD leaders started demanding action against senior BJD MP Sasmit Patra. Dr.Patra is now at the receiving end.
During the Parliamentary Party meeting held prior to the beginning of the Budget session of the Parliament, the party MPs have decided to strongly oppose the 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 Patnaik.
However, in a dramatic turn of events on Thursday night,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.
On Thursday afternoon, Dr.Patra in a post on X had said, “The Biju Janata Dal has always upheld the principles of secularism and inclusivity, ensuring the rights of all communities. We deeply respect the diverse sentiments expressed by different sections of the Minority communities regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024.”
“Our Party, having taken these views into careful consideration, has entrusted our Hon’ble Members in the Rajya Sabha with the responsibility of exercising their conscience in the best interest of justice, harmony and the rights of all communities, should the Bill come up for voting. There is no Party Whip,” the post said.
This tweet made by Dr.Patra has surprised the BJD supporters and also many tall leaders of the regional party, who are fighting against the BJP at the ground.
Expressing anger over the sudden tweet made by Dr.Patra, former ministers and senior BJD leaders Pratap Jean, Ganeswar Behera, Prafulla Samal and Badri Narayan Patra demanded action against MP Patra.
Prafulla Samal and Pratap Jena have written letters to party President Naveen Patnaik.
Questioning the social media post made by MP Dr.Patra, Badri Patra asked how could Sasmit take such a major decision when the party has always maintained a neutral stance.
He indicated that there may have been internal manipulation or conspiracy.
“Someone has played a game. We must find out where this game was played and who was behind it,” the senior BJD lawmaker said.
As per party’s stand and president’s directive, the BJD MPs were supposed to oppose the Bill, he said. However, what prompted Patra to change the stand at the last moment, he questioned.
“It is not known whether Naveen Patnaik had changed it. But Naveen Patnaik had clearly stated to oppose the bill; and why no whip was issued. Out of 7 MPs, 1 opposed, 5 voted in favour of the Bill and 1 abstained from voting,” former Minister told media persons.
Pratap Jena in his letter to Naveen Patnaik claimed that there is a big conspiracy behind the sudden change of stand of BJP MPs on the Bill. There is a need to examine the X post of MP Patra and find out the person behind the conspiracy, Shri Jena demanded.
The former Minister also urged Shri Patnaik to issue a showcause notice to MP Patra and take strong action after examining the matter.
Prafulla Samal had written a letter to BJD supremo yesterday, demanding a review of the incident.
Similarly, Kendrapara MLA Ganeswar Behera too questioned the role of MP Dr.Patra on change of party’s stand on the Waqf Bill. It seems that Dr Patra has taken the decision on his own and it was not the decision of the party, he said.
“Dr Patra’s action is against the discipline and ideology of the BJD. So, disciplinary action needs to be taken against Dr Patra. Who are you to reverse the decision of the party? Under what authority have you changed the stand?,” questioned Shri Behera.
“This move of the party has pained me and lakhs of party workers. Sasmit Patra is totally responsible for this situation. He has worked in favour of the BJP on his own,” he said.