The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Thursday took a step back from voting against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and said the decision is left to its MPs’ conscience. The development came a day after the party announced that all its members would oppose the bill in Rajya Sabha.
Backtracking a day later, party spokesperson Sasmit Patra said in a tweet on Thursday that the party has entrusting its members “with the responsibility of exercising their conscience in the best interest of justice, harmony and the rights of all communities, should the Bill come up for voting,” adding that there is no party whip.
The statement comes after Patra on Wednesday stated that BJD’s Rajya Sabha MP Muzibulla Khan would represent the Muslim community and present the party’s concerns regarding the Bill in the House. Patra also said that the party is not satisfied with the Bill, claiming that the Centre had amended certain points after review by the Joint Parliamentary Committee.
After a nearly 12-hour debate in the Lok Sabha, discussions on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill continue in the Rajya Sabha. While BJP MPs accused the Opposition of spreading misinformation, TMC MP Mohammad Nadimul Islam called the Bill “cultural vandalism,” criticising the Centre for seeking excessive control over Waqf properties.
