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Journalism of Courage
The shifting stand of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over the Waqf Amendment Bill has led to disquiet within the party. While the BJD had been vocal on its opposition to the contentious Bill, the party took a last-minute call to not issue a whip and leave voting on it to the individual party MPs in the Rajya Sabha.
Protesting against the party’s decision, BJD MP Debashish Samantaray abstained from voting in the Upper House, which cleared the Bill with 128 members voting in favour and 95 opposing it. Amid tension over the matter, BJD leaders met party president and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik Friday. A day later, senior party leaders Pratap Jena and Prafulla Samal wrote to Patnaik alleging a “conspiracy”, and called for a detailed probe.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Samantaray speaks about his move and the prevailing situation in the party. Excerpts:
* Why did you abstain from voting on the Waqf Bill?
I abstained from voting to express my dissatisfaction with the party’s decision at the last moment. There was a clear instruction from our party president (Naveen Patnaik) to oppose the Waqf Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
Going by the party’s decision, our colleague (MP Munna Khan) spoke against the Bill in Rajya Sabha on the party’s behalf. But hours before the voting, we saw a post on X from our floor leader Sasmit Patra saying that there was no whip and that the MPs can vote as per their conscience. My conscience said the party took the wrong call. I protested it.
* How did the shift happen?
We came to know about the change in the stance only at 6 pm (on Thursday). Only after our floor leader Sasmit Patra put a post on X on the issue. He did not even consult with other MPs before his post… We would have opposed the decision. Many MPs were furious.
* BJD’s final position was contrary to what Navneen Patnaik had said earlier. Why?
Absolutely. During the BJD Parliamentary Party meeting ahead of the Budget session, it was decided by our party president (Patnaik) that we would oppose the Waqf Bill. We believe that the Muslim community, which is the primary stakeholder over the Bill, was not consulted prior to the introduction of the (Waqf) legislation.
Even during a (BJD) minority cell meeting last September, Naveen babu reiterated that the party would oppose the (Waqf) Bill. He mentioned the same thing during the BJD’s Iftar party days before the Bill was taken up for discussion in Parliament. What was the need to change the stance at the last moment?
* Then, what explains it?
I think it has to do with his (Patnaik’s) only advisor and I do not want to take any name. Whoever has taken the decision or advised the party president on the issue has done a mistake. There must be some conspiracy at play… as stated by many of our leaders.
* What is the party’s message to the people?
That I would not be able to say… But, I would not hesitate to blame his (Patnaik’s) advisor for taking such a last-minute decision and going against the party’s collective stand.
I urge our party president to take strict action against the person who changed the decision and also against our party’s floor leader (Sasmit Patra) for announcing the decision on X without consulting others – and also, going out in the public and claiming to have voted in favour of the Bill, which is atrocious.
* Could the row impact the BJD?
I feel there is a secret deal between a (BJD) group and the BJP… Every BJD leader should speak against it.
The Muslim community has taken it very badly. I am sure, we will lose our minority vote base significantly in constituencies like Cuttack, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Mahanga, Kendrapada, Balasore… The BJD was a secular party that respected all religions and faiths. It was against the Waqf Bill, but its dual stand has completely changed the perception.
