Political activity in Patna is intensifying, as discontentment within Janata Dal (United) led by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has surfaced following the party’s support to the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, which led to the passage of the Bill. Additionally, senior Janata Dal (United) leader Mohammed Qasim Ansari resigned from the JD(U) over the party’s support to the passing of the Waqf Amendment Bill. In a letter to Nitish Kumar, Ansari said the JD(U) supporting the Centre on the Waqf issue has left him discontented. Ansari said the Waqf Amendment Bill went against their principles. Similarly, Mohammed Nawaz Malik, the state secretary of JD(U)’s Minority Front, has also resigned, expressing anguish over the party’s support for the Waqf Bill. According to the caste survey conducted by the state government, Muslims constitute nearly 17.70 per cent of the state’s population. Moreover, the Muslim votes play a crucial role in the victory of candidates in 50 out of 243 assembly seats. The controversy over Waqf Bill, now passed in both houses of the Parliament and poised to get the presidential assent in no time, is likely to roil Bihar at least till the assembly elections, which are due later this year. The RJD, Congress and Left combine has also latched on to the opportunity to corner the JD(U) over the Waqf issue, hoping to consolidate Muslims in support of the Mahagathbandhan.
AKHILESH YADAV, AMIT SHAH EXCHANGE POLITE BARBS IN LOK SABHA
The Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav were involved in a wordy duel in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday during the debate on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The two leaders took jibes at each other over their respective party presidents, though they kept smiling through the exchange, maintaining decorum in the House. Addressing the House during the debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill, Akhilesh Yadav said: “The party, which claims to be the world’s largest party, could not elect its national president.” At this, Amit Shah stood up and said, “Akhileshji said something with a smile. And I will respond with a smile.” Pointing to the Opposition benches, the Home Minister said, “The national party chooses its chief from among five persons within a family, and for the last 50 years, you could not change the leader,” he said, taking a dig at dynastic politics. Defending the BJP’s process, Shah added, “In the BJP, 12-13 crore workers elect the president through a process, so it takes time. Akhilesh can be his party president for the next 25 years, and it won’t be a problem.” Meanwhile, in January 2020, JP Nadda was unanimously elected the BJP national president, and took over from current Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The BJP president’s tenure is for three years; however, the process to elect the next BJP president has been pending for 10 months after incumbent JP Nadda was inducted into the NarendraModi-led Union cabinet following the BJP’s slim win in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. According to sources, the BJP is likely to declare its new national president by the end of April.
SONIA GANDHI SAYS WAQF BILL A PLOY TO KEEP INDIA PERMANENTLY POLARISED
Congress Parliamentary Party chief (CPP) Sonia Gandhi accused the Union government of bulldozing the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha and calling the proposed law a bold assault on the Constitution and a BJP ploy to keep society in a state of permanent polarisation. She warned that the government’s actions were strategically undermining democratic values and pushing India toward carrying an image that of becoming a surveillance state. Sonia also expressed strong opposition to the ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal, describing it as “another subversion of the Constitution. While the contentious bill passed in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday after a marathon 12-hour debate, securing 288 votes in favor and 232 against. The BJP received support from its allies, including the TDP, JD(U), Shiv Sena, and LJP.
SHIV SENA RIVALS SHINDE AND THACKERAY CALL EACH OTHER ‘CONFUSED’
The political battle over the Waqf Bill has intensified in Maharashtra, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde blaming each other over their stance on the bill in Parliament. While Uddhav Thackeray said, “BJP is the biggest political party of India, but it is in a confused state. Earlier BJP leaders gave a clarion call to remove Aurangzeb’s tomb, but later their parent body RSS said the tomb is an irrelevant issue. BJP says one thing while acting on another.” On the other hand, Eknath Shinde accused Thackeray’s party of being indecisive. “Shiv Sena (UBT) is very confused and they do not know what to do, whether to support the bill or not? They cannot take any clear stand on any issue. Both the leadership and party are baffled, therefore they supported the Waqf Bill in Parliament. It also shows that they have left behind Balasaheb Thackeray’s Hindutva ideology,” he alleged.
SIDDA WANTS NEW FACE AS KARNATAKA CONGRESS CHIEF, RAHUL SAYS WAIT
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah informed the top Congress leadership, including leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, about the honey trap issue and other political developments in the state. During the meeting with Rahul Gandhi, the Chief Minister gave certain hints on the importance of appointing a new State Congress chief since Shivakumar is holding multiple portfolios, sources in the party said. On the other hand, Siddaramaiah also discussed the names of candidates to fill the four vacancies in the Legislative Council. But Rahul Gandhi reportedly told Siddaramaiah to accommodate candidates loyal to the party and names suggested by AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge. The CM also held the meeting with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. On the issue of changing the KPCC president and Cabinet rejig, the high command is likely to take a call in the coming months. (IPA Service)
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