Bhubaneswar, (Odisha) [India], April 5 : Biju Janata Dal (BJD) Vice President Prasanna Acharya has said that his party has yet to fully assess the change in its stance over the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. He also confirmed that the party would hold discussions with its President to clarify its position.
"We are not very aware of the latest situation, and since it is a very important matter, we have decided to discuss it with our party President," Acharya stated. He also acknowledged the recent tweet by BJD leader Sasmit Patra regarding the Bill but clarified that the party is still evaluating the issue internally.
"We are a secular party, and we always stand with the minority of the country and the state. We are never interested in endangering the security and the interest of the minority of this country," Acharya emphasized, reaffirming BJD's commitment to protecting minority rights.
The BJD Vice President further revealed that the party has historically opposed the Waqf Amendment Bill, but the sudden shift in position required further internal discussions.
"Our party always opposed the Waqf amendment bill, but why our party's stand changed at the last moment, we will have to discuss it," he added.
Earlier, BJP MP Sasmit Patra said that the party had left its parliamentarians with the option of voting for or against the Wqaf bill.
"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. 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," he posted on X
Meanwhile, Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has accused the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) of succumbing to BJP pressures at the last moment, which he believes reduced the numbers opposing the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, in the Rajya Sabha.
In a post on X, Ramesh condemned the bill and stated that had the BJD not capitulated to the BJP, the opposition's numbers in Parliament would have been higher.
"The vote in the Lok Sabha on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was 288-232. In the Rajya Sabha, it was 128-95," Jairam said.
"The victory margin for the BJP was small. In fact, in the Rajya Sabha, it was actually a setback for the ruling party, and there was shock on the Treasury Benches that the Opposition mustered up such support. The 95 number would have been more had not the BJD capitulated to BJP pressures at the last minute," the Congress MP said on X.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed with a vote margin of 288-232 in the Lok Sabha and 128-95 in the Rajya Sabha.