BJD’s lone Muslim MP in RS seeks answer from Naveen on Waqf Bill flip-flop

Bhubaneswar: Muzibulla Khan, BJD's lone Muslim representative in Rajya Sabha, on Sunday urged party president Naveen Patnaik to issue a clarification regarding the party's flip-flop during voting on the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Upper House. From initially deciding to oppose the Bill, the BJD allowed members to vote as per conscience, resulting in split voting and triggering a lot of resentment within the party.
Several BJD leaders including Khan appear worried that the ‘unprecedented shift in stance' might upset their minority support base. Muslims make up about 2.17% of the state's 4.5 crore population.
"I will meet our party high command and humbly request him to clarify on our party's last minute change in stance. The sudden decision, which was taken hours before the voting without our knowledge, has not only shocked me, but also thousands of people in our community. They are looking for an answer," Khan told TOI.
"Our party's stand to oppose the Bill was clear from the beginning. The last minute change of decision to go with ‘conscience vote' led to split voting, and dented our party's image," the MP added.
Khan is the latest to have joined other senior BJD leaders who have questioned the leadership regarding the altered position on the Waqf Bill.
Internal discord emerged in BJD after Sasmit Patra, party's Rajya Sabha floor leader, revealed he had voted in favour of the Bill.
Among BJD's seven Rajya Sabha MPs, Khan likely voted against the Bill, given his consistent opposition. MP Debashish Samantaray, who hinted at an unholy ‘dealing' by some party colleagues, abstained from voting. The positions of Manas Mangaraj, Sulata Deo, Niranjan Bisi and Subhasish Khuntia remain undisclosed.
"I will not disclose my vote. We (members) were asked to vote according to our conscience," Deo said.
Party members also questioned Naveen's silence. "We wonder why Naveen has maintained silence all along. There is serious turmoil and division in the party over the Bill issue. To prevent escalation of the situation, Naveen should not make further delay and immediately come out with an explanation," a BJD insider said.
Prasanna Acharya, BJD's deputy leader in the assembly, expects Naveen to address the situation. "Everyone — from top to bottom in our party and people in the state — is puzzled about BJD's change in stance. Naveen babu is a matured and highly intelligent leader. He always takes wise decisions after thoroughly assessing situations. I am hopeful that he will soon clear the confusion on the Waqf Bill issue," Acharya said.