Manas Mangaraj behind Waqf Bill vote support deal; we will oppose him and Sasmit Patra, says BJD Youth leader

A fresh controversy has erupted within Odisha’s political circles as the Biju Yuva Janata Dal (BYJD) and Biju Chhatra Janata Dal have accused BJD MP Manas Mangaraj of striking a secret deal in support of the Waqf Bill, drawing strong internal dissent from party youth leaders.

The sensational allegation was brought forth on Tuesday by BYJD State Secretary Nila Madhab Mohanty, who alleged that Manas Mangaraj played a key role in influencing party MPs to support the Bill, allegedly under pressure or due to undisclosed 
understandings with the BJP.

“In the hours leading up to the voting day, we from the youth wing called BJD MP Sasmit Patra to seek clarity. He told us that Manas Mangaraj had instructed him. The main intention of the duo is to destroy BJD. There will be strong opposition to Manas Mangaraj,” alleged Mohanty.

Mohanty didn’t mince words while making a scathing attack on Mangaraj. “Manas Mangaraj is acting like a middleman for the BJP. His actions are against the core principles of the Biju Janata Dal. There seems to be a deliberate attempt to weaken and destroy the BJD from within,” he alleged.

The youth leader further declared that both Manas Mangaraj and Sasmit Patra would face strong resistance from the party’s youth and student wings for their alleged roles. “We will not remain silent while certain individuals damage the party from inside. We will oppose them tooth and nail,” Mohanty asserted.

Despite the gravity of the accusations, no official response has been received yet from Manas Mangaraj. 

The developments come at a crucial time, with the party under pressure to present a united front. The leadership is now expected to intervene and address the deepening discord before it spirals further.