Bhubaneswar: What once seemed like a raging political wildfire within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) over the Waqf Bill issue has quietly faded into silence. The controversy, which at one point threatened to fracture the state’s main opposition party’s unity, has now disappeared into the background of Odisha’s simmering summer.

The episode began when the BJD’s ambiguous stance on the Waqf Bill in the Rajya Sabha drew sharp criticism from several of its own senior leaders. Rajya Sabha MP Munna Khan, also known as Muzibulla Khan, along with prominent leaders like Ranendra Pratap Swain, Pratap Jena, Nrusingha Sahu, Praful Mallick, and others openly expressed their displeasure. They petitioned party president and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, demanding clarity and decisive action.

At the heart of the unrest was speculation about the role of V Karthikeyan Pandian, Naveen’s influential aide and former bureaucrat, in the party’s dual voting pattern. Disgruntled leaders subtly suggested through media channels that Pandian might have had a hand in the episode, though no direct evidence surfaced. The discontent among senior and youth leaders alike gave rise to rumors of an impending split within the BJD — a development widely covered by both state and national media outlets.

However, true to his political style, Naveen Patnaik chose silence over confrontation. Nearly a week after the controversial vote, he broke his silence only to assert that Pandian had no involvement in the matter. He also promised an inquiry into the double voting incident and assured appropriate action. Yet, even as a month has passed since that promise, no substantial response or action has emerged.

Interestingly, the leaders who were once vociferous about the issue have now retreated into quietude. The lively gatherings at city hotels and power corridors, where heated debates about the Waqf Bill once echoed, are now empty. The melee has disappeared, and the political lions have seemingly returned to grazing.

This episode has once again highlighted Naveen Patnaik’s trademark political strategy — patience and brevity. For over 28 years, Naveen has remained the central figure in Odisha’s political landscape, serving as Chief Minister for more than 24 of those years. His consistent ability to outmaneuver seasoned political veterans is well documented. His primary weapon has always been time — allowing controversies to cool down naturally before making carefully measured moves, if any.

In politics, as in warfare and diplomacy, buying time often changes the battlefield itself. Naveen Patnaik has mastered this art, defusing crises not with fiery rhetoric or swift action, but with strategic silence. He speaks little, acts selectively, and often lets political tempests blow over on their own.

Sources within the BJD suggest that Naveen is unlikely to escalate the Waqf Bill controversy further or initiate disciplinary action against anyone. For now, the seasoned politician is reportedly spending the summer at his residence, Naveen Niwas, away from the political glare. Party programmes are expected to resume after the summer lull, by which time not just the heat of Odisha’s summer but also the Waqf controversy would have dissipated.

Naveen Patnaik understands political seasons well. He knows that when the monsoon arrives, it won’t just bring rains to Odisha’s parched lands, but also wash away lingering political resentments. And those who once roared against him will likely settle comfortably onto the newly swept political carpet — herbivorous in a house once filled with lions.

Article Contributed By

A.K Sahoo

A Bhubaneswar-Based Sr. Journalist