Bhubaneswar: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) continues to witness internal unrest following its sudden change in stance on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The party, which had earlier announced its opposition to the Bill, allowed its MPs to vote according to their conscience in the Rajya Sabha, a move that has led to sharp criticism from within.

On Monday, BJD Rajya Sabha MP Debasish Samantaray openly blamed former bureaucrat and ex-Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's aide, VK Pandian, for influencing the party's reversal. Samantaray, who was absent during the voting, claimed there was confusion over the party’s position and accused Pandian of still making decisions on behalf of the BJD despite his formal retirement from politics 10 months ago. He further alleged that Pandian had "single-handedly destroyed" the regional party.

In response, several BJD MPs came out in defence of Pandian. Rajya Sabha MP Manas Mangaraj expressed disappointment over Samantaray’s remarks and reminded that Naveen Patnaik remains the final authority on party decisions. He urged that internal concerns be raised through party forums rather than the media.

Sulata Deo, another BJD MP, accused Samantaray of using Pandian as a scapegoat to deflect attention from his own absence during the vote. She claimed that Samantaray had created a scene at Naveen Niwas and was targeting Pandian due to personal grudges.

Meanwhile, BJD MP Muzibulla Khan, who had vocally opposed the Bill in Parliament, criticised senior leader Sasmit Patra for supporting it. He, along with his supporters—mostly from the minority community—met Patnaik and demanded accountability for the party’s shift. Slogans were also raised against Pandian outside Naveen Niwas.

The controversy surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, now an Act following Presidential assent, has evidently deepened the divide within the BJD, with several leaders taking opposing sides and questioning the decision-making process.

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Mumbai, May 10 (PTI): Amid heightened security concerns in the country, the Sai Baba temple trust at Shirdi in Maharashtra has decided not to allow garland, bouquets and shawls to brought inside the temple complex.

The famous temple which draws millions of devotees every year had received a threatening email last week.

Goraksh Gadilkar, a member of the Sai Baba Sansthan Trust, said devotees will be searched before entering the temple.

"The Sansthan received a threat email on May 2. In view of India-Pakistan tensions and the security alert across the country, flowers, garlands, prasad and shawls will not be allowed inside," he told PTI.

The Ahilyanagar district police have also made some suggestions to enhance the security of the temple.

On Friday, the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai said it will not allow garlands, prasad and coconuts inside from May 11.