Senior BJD leaders meet party supremo amid rift over Waqf Bill voting

Key figures from the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) convened on Tuesday at their leader’s residence to deliberate on prominent issues facing the party amid internal divisions spurred by the Waqf Bill voting.

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Despite the evident tensions, no remarks were made concerning the Waqf controversy or the ‘Pandian episode’. It is said that the discourse revolved around upcoming organisational elections instead. Senior members of the party remain optimistic that any uncertainties will be addressed directly by their chief.

Notable party representatives such as Prasanna Acharya, Ananga Udaya Singh Deo, Kalikesh Singh Deo, Pratap Deb, and Debi Prasad Mishra were in attendance, taking the opportunity to engage in discussions with the party’s leader.

BJD leaders clear the air over 'confusion'

“Whatever confusions you (media) have in your minds will be cleared soon. The suspicions and queries you have will be addressed. Wait for the right time, the things will be resolved. BJD will play the role of a strong Opposition party under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik. BJD will stand up to the expectations of the people of Odisha as a regional party,” BJD’s Sanjay Das Burma said to mediapersons.

“We discussed the coming organisational elections of BJD. Senior leaders discussed with the party supremo today. We did not discuss anything else,” Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said.

“A meeting presided by the state returning officer (SRO) of BJD was held at Sankha Bhawan yesterday. Organisational district president candidates’ lists and the election schedules were duly informed to President Naveen Patnaik. The party functionaries concerned had come today to deliberate on the election matters,” BJD leader Debi Mishra said.

“We came to discuss the organisational election matters. So long as the Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is leading the party, BJD is and will remain a strong party as before,” Arun Sahoo stated.

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Reacting to this, BJP MLA Babu Singh said, “Naveen Babu is doing a drama with the people of Odisha. Since he is taking all decisions, he is both Nayak (hero) and Khalnayak (villain) in the drama. All these (recent split voting on the Waqf Amendment Bill) have happened under his knowledge. When the necessity arises, he used to stage dramas.”