Internal discontent surfaces in BJD over shift on Waqf Bill stand

All doesn't seem well within the opposition BJD headed by former chief minister Naveen Patnaik as senior leaders of the regional outfit voiced their objections following the party's alleged change of stand over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2023 which was passed in Parliament recently.

- PBD BUREAU/PTI

While former minister Bhupinder Singh on Sunday described providing situation in the BJD akin to 'Kalabaishakhi' (Nor'wester)', party's deputy leader in the Assembly, and former whip Prasanna Acharya, suspected the hand of some 'external force' behind the party's alleged decision not to oppose the Waqf Bill.

The rift seems to be gradually widening with the BJD rank and file denouncing the change of party's stand which has put its secular credentials at stake.

H o w e v e r, Acharya defended the party's stand, saying there might have been a change in the decision. “Irrespective of the Bill, but the BJD continues to uphold its secular credentials.”

He further expressed, “Ours is a secular party, maintaining equal distance from both the NDA and the UPA. As a regional party, BJD supports or opposes any issue based on the interests of Odisha.”