In a surprising political shift, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has decided to backtrack on its earlier stance of opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha. The party announced on Thursday that it would no longer enforce a collective decision and instead allow its MPs to vote according to their conscience.
The move comes just a day after the party had declared that all of its seven Rajya Sabha members would oppose the bill. While the BJD does not have any representation in the Lok Sabha, where the bill was passed on Wednesday, its initial strong opposition in the Upper House had signaled a tougher battle for the government.
However, on Thursday, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra stated that the party would entrust its members “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.” He also confirmed that no party whip would be issued, allowing MPs to vote independently.
Consideration of Minority Sentiments
The BJD’s decision is reportedly influenced by the concerns of the minority community in Odisha. On Wednesday, the party had announced that MP Muzibulla Khan would represent the Muslim community’s viewpoint and present BJD’s objections to the bill in Rajya Sabha.
The party also expressed dissatisfaction with the bill, pointing out that certain amendments suggested during the Joint Parliamentary Committee’s review were not incorporated.
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Despite being a political rival of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha, the BJD has historically supported the NDA-led government on key parliamentary legislations. Notably, in 2019, the party backed:
– The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, which revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
– The Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Marriage) Bill, which criminalized triple talaq.
– Amendments to the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Right to Information (RTI) Act during the 2019 monsoon session.
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However, after suffering a major political setback in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and losing power to the BJP in the Odisha assembly polls, the BJD has recently adopted a more oppositional stance in Parliament. The party had announced that it would no longer extend issue-based support to the BJP-led NDA at the Centre.
The Waqf Bill Faces a Tough Test in Rajya Sabha
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha with 288 votes in favor and 232 against after a 12-hour-long debate. The BJP and its allies argue that the bill will benefit the Muslim community, while the Opposition claims it is an attempt by the Centre to exert excessive control over Waqf properties and is therefore “unconstitutional.”
With the Rajya Sabha vote pending, BJD’s decision to not issue a party whip could prove crucial in shaping the bill’s fate.
