Both TDP and Jana Sena, key allies of BJP-led NDA have decided to extend support to the Wakf (Amendment) Bill, which is to come up for discussion and passage in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. Though some sections of Muslim community in the state expressing reservations over the bill and urged these two parties to oppose the bill, they have decided otherwise,
The TDP has issued a three-line whip to all its Members of Parliament, directing them to be present in the Lok Sabha and support the government’s stand.
“This directive comes in light of the scheduled introduction of the Wakf Bill, which is expected to be a matter of significant discussion in the House. The party remains committed to ensuring that its stance on this important legislation is effectively represented,” the TDP said in a statement.
G. M. Harish Balayogi, TDP’s chief whip in the Lok Sabha, issued the whip. “All TDP members in Lok Sabha are hereby informed that some very important legislative business will be taken up for passing in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, i.e 2nd April 2025. All members of TDP in Lok Sabha are therefore requested to be present in the House, throughout the day on Wednesday, 2nd April 2025 and support the government’s stand,” reads the whip.
With 16 MPs in Lok Sabha, the TDP is a key partner in the Narendra Modi government, and its support will be crucial to pass the controversial bill. Moreover, the Jana Sena said that it believes this amendment will “benefit” the Muslim community.
“Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan issued directions to party MPs in the Lok Sabha, instructing them to vote in favour of the bill in the Parliament,” said the party in a press release. Jana Sena has two MPs in the Lok Sabha. Party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan believes that amending the colonial era Wakf Act to the needs of the current age will result in “immense benefits”, the release added.
Meanwhile, Muslim organisations on March 27 boycotted Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Iftar party to protest his tacit support for the Wakf Amendment BiOn a call given by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Muslim leaders had stayed away from the Iftar and dinner.
The boycott call was given to mount pressure on the TDP to make the Narendra Modi government withdraw the Waqf Bill. The AIMPLB had called for a boycott of Iftar parties hosted by the TDP-led NDA government in Vijayawada and other places in Andhra Pradesh to demand that the TDP make the Union Government withdraw the Wakf Amendment Bill from Parliament.
In October last year, an AIMPLB delegation met Chandrababu Naidu and urged him to oppose Wakf Amendment Bill 2024 in the Parliament. The delegation apprised the Chief Minister of their objections to the amendments proposed by the Narendra Modi government to the Wakf Act.