NEW DELHI: BJD president and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday came out in strong defence of his close aide VK Pandian, calling for unity within the party after signs of internal rift emerged over the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
The bill, now a law following Presidential assent, saw the BJD divided in the Rajya Sabha with MPs casting split votes, an unusual move for a party known for its discipline. While MP Sasmit Patra supported the bill, another MP, Muzibulla Khan, opposed it. One member, Debashish Samantaray, remained absent. The confusion has prompted criticism from the BJP and concerns within the BJD ranks.
Naveen Patnaik also came down heavily on his party colleagues for holding large meetings in hotels amid growing internal rift following party members’ split voting on the Bill in Rajya Sabha five days ago. While he didn’t name anyone directly, the remarks were widely seen as a response to speculation around growing discontent in the party, particularly over Pandian’s influence.
Rejecting all such talk, senior BJD leader Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak told ANI, “There is no infighting at all. All MPs, MLAs and workers are united under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik. We are and will always remain a secular party.”
Backing him, BJD veteran Bhupinder Singh warned against any attempt to undermine the party’s unity. “There is no groupism… An outsider cannot lead the party. Naveen Patnaik is the only leader,” Singh said, in an indirect reference to Pandian’s critics within the organisation.
BJD’s Shashi Bhushan Behera echoed the sentiment, saying the meeting in Bhubaneswar was a routine affair. “The public stands with Naveen Patnaik. He is aware of everything. All leaders are with him.”
But outside the party, the BJP remained unconvinced. Rajya Sabha MP Sujeet Kumar questioned the BJD’s flip-flop on the bill. “They are totally confused. One MP supported, another opposed, and one didn’t even show up. It’s a drama. Let them explain this to the public,” he said.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed last week by the Rajya Sabha with 128 votes in favour and 95 against, after the Lok Sabha cleared it with 288 votes for and 232 against. The legislation has now received assent from President Droupadi Murmu.
