Mon Apr 07 15:55:59 UTC 2025: ## BJD Torn Over Waqf Bill Vote: Patnaik Promises Inquiry Amidst Factional Fighting

**Bhubaneswar, Odisha –** The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is facing a major internal crisis following a split vote by its Rajya Sabha MPs on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. Former Odisha Chief Minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik, while reiterating the party’s secular credentials, announced on Monday he will investigate the matter.

The controversy erupted after BJD MPs were allowed to vote according to their conscience, resulting in some supporting and others opposing the Bill. This decision led to widespread outrage within the party, with accusations of factionalism surfacing.

BJD Rajya Sabha MP Muzibulla Khan, who voted against the Bill, led a delegation expressing strong dissatisfaction with Mr. Patnaik. Mr. Patnaik responded by highlighting the BJD’s past commitment to secularism, citing its previous actions against a government over similar issues. He pledged to investigate the Rajya Sabha vote and take appropriate action.

However, his assurances failed to quell the growing unrest. Open criticism of VK Pandian, a former bureaucrat and allegedly influential figure within the party, has emerged as a central point of contention. Several party leaders, including MP Debasish Samantray, blamed him for the party’s stance on the Bill and past electoral setbacks. Other MPs defended Mr. Pandian, who has since retired from politics.

The conflict has exposed deep divisions within the BJD, with accusations being traded openly and slogans being chanted against Mr. Pandian outside Mr. Patnaik’s residence. The incident marks a significant shift from the previously tight control exerted by Mr. Patnaik, as openly criticizing party colleagues was once unheard of. While some MPs called for those who voted in favor of the Bill to leave the party, the widening fissures within the BJD suggest a significant challenge to Mr. Patnaik’s leadership.

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