Naveen Patnaik Backs VK Pandian Amid Fissures In BJD Over Waqf Amendment Act

Biju Janata Dal (BJD) President Naveen Patnaik recently extended his support to long-time bureaucrat-turned-political aide VK Pandian stating that the former bureaucrat should not be blamed for anything as he left the party more than 10 months ago and is not involved in any of the party’s work. The remarks come as the crisis in the BJD over the change of stand on the (Waqf Amendment) Act intensified.

“I want to state quite clearly that Karthikeyan Pandian, in the past, has done a lot of good work not only for the state but for the party. So, he should not be criticised or blamed for anything. Also, he left the party more than 10 months ago and is not involved in any of the party’s work,” Naveen Patnaik told reporters.

VIDEO | Before internal criticism against VK Pandian could gain momentum, BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik stepped in to calm the situation. He firmly defended his former aide, reminding party members of Pandian’s dedicated service to both the state and the party. Patnaik made it… pic.twitter.com/MBHZ15yUVG

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 10, 2025

Discontent within the BJD emerged as Rajya Sabha MP Muzibulla Khan formally complained to Naveen Patnaik against colleague and floor leader Sasmit Patra, as per an India Today report. 

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Initially, the BJD had opposed the Waqf bill, aligning itself with Opposition and minority voices that feared that the proposed legislation would infringe on the autonomy and functioning of Waqf boards. But shortly before the bill was tabled in the Rajya Sabha, the party abruptly changed its position, refraining from issuing an official whip and allowing its MPs to vote according to personal discretion.

The electronic votes of three of the seven party MPs in the Rajya Sabha failed to register due to technical error. While Khan’s vote against the bill was successfully recorded, Patra and Sulata Deo voted in favour and Debashish Samantaray. The remaining three MPs later cast their votes manually.

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BJD sources, as per an India Today report suggested that Patra received the green light to not issue a whip from VK Pandian. The decision, it is claimed, was taken without consulting Naveen Patnaik himself.