Waqf Bill Showdown Today : Does BJP Led NDA Has Numbers ? What Is Opposition Strategy
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is set to spark a heated showdown in Parliament as the Lok Sabha takes it up for discussion Today with the Rajya Sabha likely to follow on Thursday. The bill, aimed at reforming the management of Waqf properties, has divided political parties, with the ruling BJP-led NDA confident of its numbers and the Opposition INDIA bloc vowing a united fight against it.
The contentious bill will be debated for eight hours in the Lok Sabha, as decided by the Business Advisory Committee (BAC), chaired by Speaker Om Birla. Minorities and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju confirmed the schedule, noting that the debate could shape the bill’s fate. Both the BJP and Congress have issued whips to ensure their MPs’ presence, signaling the importance of this legislative battle.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is banking on its National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners to secure the bill’s passage. Senior leaders stated that key allies like Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have pledged support. In the Lok Sabha, the NDA holds 293 seats, well above the required 272 for a simple majority.
The INDIA bloc, including Congress, Samajwadi Party, and Trinamool Congress, met on Tuesday to strategize their opposition. Leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge attended, emphasizing a collective stand against what they call an “unconstitutional” bill. The Opposition argues that it threatens minority rights and constitutional values.
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In the 542-member Lok Sabha, the BJP has 240 MPs, bolstered by 12 from JD(U), 16 from TDP, five from LJP (RV), two from Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), and seven from Shiv Sena. If the NDA remains united, the bill’s passage seems assured. Both Shiv Sena and LJP (RV) have issued three-line whips to their MPs to back the government.
In the 245-member Rajya Sabha, the NDA commands 125 MPs, including 98 from BJP, four from JD(U), and two from TDP. The bill needs 119 votes to pass, and the NDA expects support from smaller parties like Asom Gana Parishad and six nominated members, strengthening its position.
JD(U) leaders have assured that concerns raised by Muslim bodies will be addressed, with a senior leader stating, “We’ve met representatives of the Muslim Personal Law Board and Waqf Board to relay their issues to the government.” TDP spokesperson Prem Kumar Jain added, “Chandrababu Naidu has made it clear we will work in the interest of the Muslim community.”
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge posted on X, “All Opposition parties are united and shall work together to defeat the unconstitutional agenda of the Modi government on the Waqf Amendment Bill.” TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said, “We want a discussion, but the BJP is avoiding it.”
Congress leader KC Venugopal called the bill a “clear-cut violation of the Constitution,” urging its rejection. RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha warned, “If the government tries to bulldoze us, they’ll have to withdraw it.” NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule stressed, “In a strong democracy, the Constitution must guide us.”
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill’s fate hinges on Wednesday’s Lok Sabha debate and Thursday’s Rajya Sabha session. With the NDA’s numerical edge, the bill appears poised to pass, but the Opposition’s resistance could influence public perception. Updates are expected as the debates unfold.
