• About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Contact
Thursday, June 26, 2025
Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News
  • Epaper
  • Odisha
  • Twin City
  • National
  • World
  • Sports
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
No Result
View All Result
  • Epaper
  • Odisha
  • Twin City
  • National
  • World
  • Sports
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
No Result
View All Result
Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News
No Result
View All Result

Home » BJD’s Unexpected Support for Waqf Bill Sparks Internal Rift

BJD’s Unexpected Support for Waqf Bill Sparks Internal Rift

Party divisions emerge after unexpected support for the controversial bill in Rajya Sabha

Itishree Sethy by Itishree Sethy
April 4, 2025
in Odisha, Politics, Trending Now
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
0
BJD Waqf Bill
0
SHARES
36
VIEWS

The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is grappling with internal discord following its support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, during a late-night vote in the Rajya Sabha.


Despite earlier decisions to oppose the bill, the party’s stance shifted unexpectedly, leading to a split among its members.

Party president Naveen Patnaik had initially directed BJD MPs to oppose the bill, a decision reaffirmed during parliamentary meetings. However, the sudden change in position has sparked questions and concerns within the party. Out of seven MPs, three voted in favor of the bill, two opposed it, and two abstained, highlighting the growing divide.

Senior leaders, including Prasanna Acharya and Ashok Panda, have expressed dissatisfaction with the shift, calling for clarity on the reasons behind the altered decision. The party’s advisory council convened to discuss the matter, with plans to meet Naveen Patnaik for further deliberations.

The controversy has also drawn criticism from opposition leaders, who view the internal conflict as a sign of weakening unity within the BJD. As the debate continues, the party faces mounting pressure to address the discord and restore cohesion.

President Naveen Patnaik had previously determined in a parliamentary party meeting that the BJD would oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament. Earlier, when minority representatives met with him, the BJD reiterated that it would oppose the Waqf Bill. Accordingly, this decision was first announced in the Rajya Sabha by the parliamentary party leader, Sasmit Patra. However, he later reversed this position.

On Wednesday, Sasmit Patra had stated that the BJD would oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament. Party MP Munna Khan also communicated the party’s decision during the discussion of the bill. Unexpectedly, Dr. Patra changed his stance, tweeting that the Biju Janata Dal did not issue a whip, allowing party MPs to vote according to their conscience. This led to a controversy, especially since he himself voted in favor of the bill.

As a result, the party has now completely split. Of the 7 MPs, two voted against the bill, two abstained, and three voted in favor. Rajya Sabha MP Debashish Samantray mentioned that he did not support this controversial decision of the party. Munna Khan openly opposed the bill and cast his vote against it. The question remains: why did this reversal occur, and who changed the decision after the instructions from the party president? An explosive situation has emerged within the party.

On Friday morning, senior leaders of the party convened at Shankha Bhawan to discuss concerns regarding a recent controversy. Opposition Deputy Leader Prasanna Acharya met with former ministers Ashok Panda, Bhupinder Singh, Shashibhushan Behera, Chandra Sekhar Sahu, and senior MLA Badrinarayan Patra during this advisory council meeting.

The discussion focused on the circumstances surrounding a change in the party president’s decision. It was agreed that senior leaders would meet with the president to address this issue.

After the meeting, Prasanna Acharya explained that this is part of a series of meetings held by senior party leaders to discuss various matters. Today’s heated debate centered on the Rajya Sabha issue, specifically the concerns regarding the alteration of the party’s decision.

Acharya noted that in a previous parliamentary party meeting, party president Naveen Patnaik had decided that BJD MPs would oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Rajya Sabha, and instructions were given accordingly. The sudden reversal of this decision had raised significant questions within the party. Consequently, a meeting with the president has been scheduled to discuss these changes.

Senior MLA and former minister Badrinarayan Patra expressed suspicions of some form of manipulation, stating that it is unclear who altered the decision and for what reason. Acharya and other senior leaders echoed this concern, emphasizing that the party’s stance against the Waqf Bill had been clearly communicated prior to the vote, with MP Munna Khan also addressing the issue.

MP Munna Khan stated that there is confusion over how the decision was changed and why a whip was not issued. BJP state president Manmohan Samal commented on the situation, acknowledging that they are aware of the internal dynamics within the BJD. He welcomed the fact that some MPs voted in favor of the Waqf Bill at the Prime Minister’s request, but he could not specify why the decision changed or who was responsible for the alteration.

Additionally, BJP MLA Babu Singh remarked that the BJD is heading towards division, highlighting discrepancies in voting during both the Assembly and Parliament sessions. While some MLAs participated in supporting the University Amendment Bill, others did not, indicating that the BJD may struggle to maintain unity moving forward.

Tags: BJDinternal discordNaveen PatnaikOdisha PoliticsOpposition Criticismparliamentary voteparty divisionsPolitical ControversyRajya SabhaWaqf Amendment Bill
Previous Post

Waqf Bill Fallout: BJD Under Fire as Sasmit Patra’s Vote Sparks Political Uproar in Odisha

Next Post

Women’s Chess Championship 2025: Tan Zhongyi Dominates in Shanghai

Itishree Sethy

Itishree Sethy

Related Posts

Digapahandi bank clerk Rs 70 lakh fraud
Odisha

Bank Clerk Arrested for Embezzling Rs 70 Lakh in Ganjam

June 26, 2025
AIIMS Bhubaneswar Medical College Ranking 2025
Education

AIIMS Bhubaneswar Crowned 2nd Best Emerging Medical Institution in India

June 26, 2025
Shubhanshu Shukla ISS
Tech

Shubhanshu Shukla Arrives at ISS Following Successful Dragon Spacecraft Docking

June 26, 2025
Next Post
Women's World Chess Championship 2025

Women's Chess Championship 2025: Tan Zhongyi Dominates in Shanghai

Fourth Session Eighteenth Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha Wraps Up Fourth Session with Record Productivity

Budget Session 2025

Parliament Adjourns Sine Die with Legislative Triumphs

Follow Us

Recommended

Road Safety

Odisha Strengthens Road Safety with Strategic Initiatives

5 months ago
ATP Tour Teams Up with Overtime to Inspire New Generations

ATP Tour Teams Up with Overtime to Inspire New Generations

3 months ago
Odisha

Waqf Bill Fallout: BJD Under Fire as Sasmit Patra’s Vote Sparks Political Uproar in Odisha, Congress Cries ‘Secret Deal’

3 months ago
BJP Demands Action

BJP Demands Action Against Opposition’s Indecent Behavior in Assembly

4 months ago

Instagram

    Please install/update and activate JNews Instagram plugin.

Highlights

Shubhanshu Shukla Arrives at ISS Following Successful Dragon Spacecraft Docking

Woman Gangraped in Mayurbhanj, 2 Held, Hunt on for Third

Dipu-Om Murder Case: All Accused Acquitted Due to Lack of Evidence

Indian Navy Staffer Arrested for Espionage in Pakistani Spy Trap

Odisha Signs Concession Agreements for Gopalpur Port Expansion & Captive Jetty at Jatadhar River Mouth

Kangana Ranaut says Zohran Mamdani’s name ‘sounds more Pakistani than Indian’

Trending

Digapahandi bank clerk Rs 70 lakh fraud
Odisha

Bank Clerk Arrested for Embezzling Rs 70 Lakh in Ganjam

by Itishree Sethy
June 26, 2025
0

A major financial scam has rocked the Union Bank branch in Digapahandi, Ganjam district, where a clerk,...

AIIMS Bhubaneswar Medical College Ranking 2025

AIIMS Bhubaneswar Crowned 2nd Best Emerging Medical Institution in India

June 26, 2025
MBBS courses at Capital Hospital

Capital Hospital Set to Nurture Future Doctors: Odisha Govt Proposes MBBS Courses

June 26, 2025
Shubhanshu Shukla ISS

Shubhanshu Shukla Arrives at ISS Following Successful Dragon Spacecraft Docking

June 26, 2025
Odisha gangrape Mayurbhanj

Woman Gangraped in Mayurbhanj, 2 Held, Hunt on for Third

June 26, 2025
Facebook Twitter Youtube RSS

ABOUT US

News, as it should be covered, has been the forte of Pragativadi over the years. And this has ensured a classy readership encompassing the who’s who of the state. The people who matter in Odisha, depend on Pragativadi. For opinion leaders, decision makers and people with surplus disposable income Pragativadi is a must.

Follow us on social media:

Blog

The Chinese smartphone upstarts taking on Apple and Samsung

by pragativadinewsservice
January 11, 2025
0

Presidential Train Now Available For Jakartans Traveling To Bandung

by pragativadinewsservice
January 10, 2025
0

News Calendar

June 2025
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« May    

© 2025 Pragativadi

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Epaper
  • Odisha
  • Twin City
  • Sports
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • National
  • World
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel

© 2025 Pragativadi