The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) is facing some serious drama from within. The spark? Rajya Sabha MP Sasmit Patra openly supported the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which didn’t sit well with several senior leaders in the party.
They believe Sasmit went against the party’s stand and have asked party president Naveen Patnaik to take strict action against him. But here’s the twist: Naveen Patnaik has stayed silent so far — and that silence is causing even more tension.
Soumya Ranjan Patnaik’s Explosive Reaction: “Chup Shaitan”
Adding fuel to the fire, Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, a former BJD leader (and known critic of Naveen), jumped into the scene on Sunday with a series of bold tweets.
He called Naveen Patnaik a “Chup Shaitan” (Silent Demon) — a harsh criticism aimed at Naveen’s refusal to comment or act on the Sasmit Patra situation.
Let’s Break Down Soumya’s Tweets:
- After being away from Odisha for a week, Soumya said he found the current political scene both amusing and disturbing.
- He took a dig at Naveen, questioning why the party’s leader was staying silent when so much controversy was going on.
- He reminded everyone that BJD was formed in the name of Biju Patnaik, a legendary leader of Odisha, and that it once stood for Odisha’s pride and people’s power.
- But now, he says, it feels like the party has lost its strength — unable to even act decisively when needed.
- He urged the current BJD leaders to stop betraying the people of Odisha.
- And in a sharp final note, he said that justifying wrongdoing isn’t leadership — and that karma, or justice, always catches up, even if it takes time.
What’s the Bigger Picture Here?
Let’s decode why this is such a big deal:
- The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – This bill has been controversial, with many saying it could cause insecurity among minority communities, especially Muslims.
- BJD’s Official Stand – Naveen Patnaik had publicly opposed the bill at least twice in the past seven months. That makes Sasmit Patra’s support look like a direct revolt against party policy.
- Political Silence = Weakness? – Critics, including Soumya, feel that Naveen’s silence is showing weakness or indifference, and is hurting the image of BJD — a party that once had a clear regional voice.
- Internal Unity in Question – This controversy exposes internal cracks within BJD. Some leaders are clearly unhappy with how things are being handled, and public criticism from former insiders like Soumya is making it worse.
What we’re seeing is not just a disagreement over a bill — it’s a sign of growing unrest within BJD, especially as leaders and supporters question Naveen Patnaik’s leadership style and decision-making.
Soumya’s attack isn’t just personal — it’s also a wake-up call for the party. Whether BJD listens or continues to stay silent will decide a lot about its future, especially in a politically sensitive time.
