Bhubaneswar, April 7: Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Member of Parliament (MP) from the Rajya Sabha, Muzibulla Khan, popularly known as Muna Khan on Monday raised strong objections to a decision made by party leader Sasmit Patra, who is also the BJD party’s leader in the Rajya Sabha.
Muna Khan accused Patra of altering the party's official stance on the contentious Waqf Bill, which led to confusion and controversy within the party ranks.
During a meeting with BJD president Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas today, Khan expressed his dissatisfaction, demanding that the party must take decisive action against Patra for his actions, which Khan claimed represented a breach of party protocol and "double standards." The dispute centers around the Waqf Bill, a piece of legislation that has been a subject of debate, particularly among political leaders in Odisha.
Muna Khan said that decision had been made in a parliamentary party meeting to oppose the Waqf Bill. However, in a sudden turn of events, Patra reportedly changed the party's position, giving BJD MPs the freedom to vote according to their personal beliefs and conscience on the matter. This announcement came without prior consultation with Khan or other party members, which Khan described as a disregard for the collective decision-making process. He further emphasized that this unexpected shift in policy led to a situation where the BJD's stance on the bill was unclear, and several party members voted in support of the bill, creating further division within the ranks.
Khan, accompanied by his supporters, told reporters after the meeting with Patnaik that Patra's actions had undermined the party's unity and cohesiveness. He made it clear that those MPs who supported the Waqf Bill should leave the BJD and join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), as their actions were in direct contradiction to the party's stated position. Khan described the behavior as "unacceptable" and said that such actions would weaken the credibility and unity of the BJD in the long run.
“I was not taken into confidence before Patra announced the change in the BJD's decision. Though it was decided at the parliamentary party meeting to oppose the Waqf Bill, Patra suddenly changed it and informed that the BJD MPs can vote as per their conscience,” Khan told the media. He added that this shift in stance was abrupt and confusing, and he felt that it went against the interests of the party as a whole.
The situation has now sparked a heated debate within the BJD, with Khan’s allegations casting a shadow over the party’s internal dynamics. As the party grapples with the fallout of this controversy, all eyes will be on how BJD president Naveen Patnaik responds to the growing unrest and whether any action will be taken against Patra, who is a BJD Parliamentary party leader in the Rajya Sabha.
The Waqf Bill, which pertains to the governance and administration of Waqf properties, has been a contentious issue in Indian politics, with varying opinions on its potential implications for the Muslim community and religious institutions. The vote on this bill has now become a focal point for political infighting within the BJD, potentially affecting the party's image and unity in the coming days.
