CM Naveen Patnaik Hints at Sanctioning BJD’s Split Vote on Waqf Bill, Defends Pandian

 Bhubaneswar: Amid rising discord within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over the party’s divided stance on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, party supremo and former Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday broke his silence, hinting that the split vote by BJD’s Rajya Sabha MPs may have been at his behest.

Patnaik’s comments come amid a political storm triggered by the BJD’s unusual voting pattern in the Rajya Sabha — four of its seven members voted in favour of the Bill, two opposed it, and one abstained. The internal rift led to speculation about a deeper crisis within the party.

In a strongly worded statement to the media from his Bhubaneswar residence, Patnaik appeared to defend the divergence, suggesting that it was neither accidental nor unauthorised. The statement notably shielded his close aide and former bureaucrat V. Karthikeyan Pandian from criticism.

“I want to clearly state that V. Karthikeyan Pandian has done a lot of good work not only for the state but also for the party. He should not be criticised or blamed for anything. Also, he left the party 10 months ago and is not involved in any of the party’s work,” Patnaik said.

Patnaik's clarification comes after senior BJD leaders pointed fingers at Pandian for allegedly influencing the party’s Rajya Sabha MPs. However, Patnaik’s assertion distances Pandian from the current party affairs, even as he subtly signaled that the decision to vote freely on the Waqf Bill was a considered one.

Adding to the confusion, BJD’s leader in the Rajya Sabha, Dr. Sasmit Patra, earlier said that no whip was issued and that members were advised to vote “as per their conscience.” But this was contradicted by MP Muzibulla Khan (Muna Khan), who claimed the party leadership had explicitly asked them to oppose the Bill.

The contradiction has widened the rift within the BJD, a party otherwise known for its tight discipline under Patnaik’s long stewardship.

The former CM also took aim at senior leaders who convened unofficial meetings in city hotels to discuss the party’s internal discord. “I strongly disapprove of meetings being held in hotels by senior leaders. We have our party office — Sankha Bhawan. They must hold their meetings there,” Patnaik said.

He further used the opportunity to discredit Prabhat Tripathy, a former BJD MLA who has re-emerged in party discussions. “Prabhat Tripathy was expelled from the BJD years ago after being indicted in a chit fund case and serving jail time. He no longer belongs to the party,” Patnaik clarified.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, has been a contentious issue nationally, and the BJD's split voting — rare in a party that typically moves in unison — has raised eyebrows both within and outside Odisha. Patnaik’s remarks, while aimed at quelling speculation, also suggest a leadership recalibrating its position amid internal churn and an evolving political landscape.

As the rural elections near, the BJD's internal dynamics — and Patnaik's continued influence — remain closely watched.