I had voted in support of Waqf Amendment Bill: BJD MP Sulata Deo

Rajya Sabha MP and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Sulata Deo publicly declared on Wednesday her support for the recent Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. She clarified that she had voted in support of the Bill previously tabled in the Upper House of Parliament.

Also Read: Waqf Amendment Bill row: BJD reaffirms its ‘secular stance’

In a statement, BJD MP Sulata affirmed, “I had cast my vote in favour of the Waqf (Amendment) Act.” She asserted that her decision was influenced by her party's leadership guidance.

Ideological difference in BJD?

According to the MP, a total of four members, including herself, appeared to have voted in support of the amendment. She also noted that a member was absent, and ‘it seems’ two voted against.

“When the discussion on the Waqf Bill (then tabled for amendment) was underway, I felt that there was debate focusing on Hindus and Muslims alone. The leader of my party (BJD) had told us that we have members belonging to three religions (Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity). ‘I will not pressurise anyone and you better vote either for or against according to your conscience’,” Sulata stated to mediapersons quoting her leader (apparently Naveen Patnaik).

“Is there any problem?” Sulata questioned.

“I don’t think I had committed anything wrong. Rather, I had voted for the Bill according to my conscience,” BJD’s Sulata expressed.

Worth mentioning, the BJD, a party that has been boasting about its equidistance policy, is currently grappling with internal unrest following the controversial statement on voting by its Rajya Sabha MP, Sasmit Patra.

Must Read: Waqf Bill decision was changed, Naveen Patnaik should clarify, demands Prafulla Ghadei

The decision, which appears to contradict BJD’s longstanding policy of equidistance from communal or religious issues, has triggered sharp criticism from within the party and raised serious questions about internal coordination and leadership directives.