TV
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is grappling with internal unrest following Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra’s support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. Senior party leaders have urged party president Naveen Patnaik to take disciplinary action against Sasmit. However, the BJD supremo is yet to speak up on the intra-party challenge.
Amidst the turmoil, former BJD leader Soumya Ranjan Patnaik on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Patnaik and called him a ‘Chup Shaitan’. In a series of tweets, Soumya Ranjan targeted the former Chief Minister for being silent on Sasmit Patnaik’s support for the bill.
“After being outside Odisha for over a week and seeing Odisha from afar, many things come to mind. There is no other way but to be amused by what is happening in Odisha politics for the past few days. Especially Naveen Babu's behavior and speech are making us more sad and disturbed,” Soumya’s tweet read.
He continued, “Everyone used to say that the Biju Janata Dal, formed in the name of his father, is the strength of the people of Odisha. What has happened today that so much is happening, but the emperor is sitting silent! Where has the strength of the Biju Janata Dal been lost that it is unable to take a firm decision?”
“There is still time, the friends who formed a regional party by prioritizing the interests and pride of Odisha should not deceive the people of Odisha anymore. Humans make mistakes. Admitting mistakes and moving forward is a sign of good character,” he further added.
“But leaders who are making excuses to prove their wrongdoings right should know that this is a sign of their own destiny. If not today, then tomorrow, God will bring about justice for them,” he concluded.
Worth mentioning, Patnaik had publicly announced twice in the last seven months, including once at the Sankha Bhawan that his party would oppose the bill as it creates a sense of insecurity among the minority community.
