Bhubaneswar: The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, has got the assent of President Droupadi Murmu but the storm brewing in BJD on the party’s ‘conscience voting’ in Rajya Sabha seems far from over.
The Lok Sabha had passed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill on April 3 while the Rajya Sabha had cleared it on April 4.
Senior BJD leader Bhupinder Singh used ‘Kalabaishakhi’ (nor’wester) as a metaphor to describe the current situation in the regional party. “There is undeniable discontent within the party. We must accept the cracks that have appeared and address them sincerely. But this turbulence is temporary and will eventually pass,” he told reporters on Sunday.
He reaffirmed the party’s longstanding commitment to inclusiveness and secular values. “Our president has never discriminated on religious grounds and always promoted harmony among communities,” he said.
Singh added that the developments surrounding Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra, who is in the firing line over allegedly bringing in the ‘conscience factor’ into play and himself publicly favouring the legislation, would be reviewed thoroughly.
This comes a day after BJD leaders Pratap Jena and Prafulla Samal demanded disciplinary action against Sasmit while specifically questioning his social media post and the sudden change in the party’s decision on the controversial Waqf Bill.
Sasmit, however, found support in fellow MP Debasish Samantray, who abstained from voting, with the latter stressing that he was only following instructions. He added to the tension by instead demanding action against what he termed the ‘chief adviser’. “He only carries out instructions, the real power lies elsewhere,” Samantray said.
Sasmit, who was in Uzbekistan to attend an Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting, could not be contacted for comment on the issue.
Meanwhile, senior leaders have called for urgent introspection, accountability, and course correction to restore public trust and party cohesion.
