Bhubaneswar, April 7 (NationPress) Amid the ongoing internal strife within the opposition Biju Janata Dal following the recent split voting on the Waqf (Amendment Bill) 2025 in the Rajya Sabha, senior party MP Muzibulla Khan, who vocally opposed the bill in parliament, on Monday launched a fierce critique against party leader Sasmit Patra for unexpectedly announcing the party's shift in position on the bill and personally endorsing it.

Khan, who received a warm welcome from his supporters upon arriving at Bhubaneswar Airport, stated that he was directed by party president Naveen Patnaik to oppose the Waqf (Amendment Bill) 2025 in the legislature.

“Our party is a secular entity and our leader Naveen Patnaik embodies secular values. Prior to the parliamentary session, a meeting of the parliamentary board was convened at Naveen Niwas. Discussions on various matters, including the Waqf (Amendment Bill) 2025, were conducted during this meeting, where Naveen Patnaik explicitly instructed that BJD would oppose the bill,” explained Khan.

The senior BJD leader also informed the media that he later sought permission from Patnaik to organize a rally against the Waqf bill in Bhubaneswar, which was granted.

Following the party leader's guidance, a significant rally was held starting from the Unit IV area in Bhubaneswar. Party leaders participated in this event and subsequently submitted a memorandum against the bill to the governor.

MP Khan further mentioned that during the Iftar gathering in Ramadan, Naveen Patnaik assured him once more that the party would oppose the bill in parliament.

“When the Waqf (Amendment Bill) 2025 was introduced in parliament, I delivered a speech opposing it. However, our Rajya Sabha leader (Sasmit Patra) posted on X that evening that BJD members would vote according to their conscience. In a parliamentary democracy, one must vote either in favor or against a bill or abstain, but I have never encountered the notion of voting 'as per conscience',” stated Khan.

He later attempted to reach Patra to clarify the confusion caused by his post but was unable to locate him.

Khan described Patra's support for the bill as a regrettable incident that damaged the party and disheartened the minority communities.

He noted that Patra, currently abroad, could address inquiries regarding the abrupt change in position upon his return.

“Our party, founded in honor of Biju Patnaik, stands with the minorities. Why are leaders, whose conscience compels them to vote in favor of BJP, not leaving the party to join BJP? We will not tolerate double standards. If you wish to join BJP, then resign from our party,” remarked Khan.

Afterward, he and his supporters went directly to Naveen Patnaik's residence from the airport. Khan and his supporters met with Patnaik and demanded decisive action against those responsible for the situation. Supporters and members of the minority community were seen chanting slogans against VK Pandian, a former bureaucrat and close associate of Patnaik, whom they blamed for the decision.

Following their meeting, the Rajya Sabha MP informed the media that the party chief has promised to take action against those accountable for this incident.