Waqf Bill: No party whip, BJD asked MPs to vote by their conscience

The Biju Janata Dal, which has seven members in the upper House of Parliament, on Thursday (April 3, 2025) urged its Rajya Sabha members to “exercise their conscience” while voting on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

Also read:Passage of Waqf (Amendment) Bill a watershed moment in collective quest for socio-economic justice, says PM Modi

Parliament in the wee hours of Friday (April 4, 2025) morning cleared the Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025, after nearly 14-hour debate in Rajya Sabha by 128 members voting in favour and 95 against

“The Biju Janata Dal has always upheld the principles of secularism and inclusivity, ensuring the rights of all communities. We deeply respect the diverse sentiments expressed by different sections of the Minority communities regarding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024,” BJD Rajya Sabha member Sasmit Patra wrote on X.

“Our party, having taken these views into careful consideration, has entrusted our members in the Rajya Sabha 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. There is no party whip,” he said.

The party has changed its stance. Last year, former Chief Minister and party president Naveen Patnaik said the party would oppose the Waqf Bill owing to concerns of members of the minority communities.

The BJD had nine members in the Rajya Sabha. However, Mamata Mohanta and Sujeet Kumar resigned and got re-elected to the Upper House after joining the BJP.