BJD does not issue Party Whip for Wakf Bill in Rajya Sabha

Bhubaneswar: The Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has not issued party whip for Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 in Rajya Sabha, informed BJD’s national spokesperson Sasmit Patra.

Patra on his X handle informed that the conch party has not issued whip and thus allowing all the seven BJD MPs to vote according to their conscience. “The Biju Janata Dal has always upheld the principles of secularism and inclusivity, ensuring the rights of all communities. We deeply respect the diverse sentiments expressed by different sections of the Minority communities regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024,” he said.

“Our Party, having taken these views into careful consideration, has entrusted our Hon’ble Members in the Rajya Sabha with the responsibility of exercising their conscience in the best interest of justice, harmony and the rights of all communities, should the Bill come up for voting. There is no Party Whip,” Patra added.

It is to be noted here that BJD had earlier announced to oppose the Wakf Bill stating it raises serious concerns over excessive state control, lack of procedural safeguards and ambiguity in dispute resolution. However, it has now changed its stand and allowed the party MPs to vote according to their conscience.

Currently, there are seven BJD MPs in Rajya Sabha. They are Manas Ranjan Mangaraj, Muzibulla Khan, Subhashish Khuntia, Debashish Samantaray, Sasmit Patra, Sulata Deo and Niranjan Bishi.