The Waqf Amendment Bill, just passed by the Indian Parliament, has created a new political firestorm in Andhra Pradesh. While the TDP-Jana Sena alliance were unabashed supporters of the bill, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) is now at the eye of a growing storm over its flip-flop stand.
YSRCP in the Lok Sabha initially stood firm against the bill and even sent out a whip to its MPs to vote in line. But there was a turn of events when BJP MP Daggubati Purandeswari accused the party of making a U-turn in the Rajya Sabha.
Speaking to the media in Vijayawada, Purandeswari alleged that YSRCP had given a whip in support of the bill in the Upper House, going against its previous position. “This is not a claim—anybody can verify the official records of Parliament,” she said, accusing YSRCP of deceiving the people for political expediency.
This discovery has ignited a tide of criticism, particularly because YSRCP had previously declared that it was against the bill in both Houses. The seeming contradiction has put the party in a bind, at the same time as political temperatures are heating up ahead of elections.
Opposition leaders, mainly from Jana Sena and TDP, have taken advantage of the situation to trap YSRCP. Social media is flooded with tweets condemning the party for supposedly playing a double game to protect its political interests.
Hitherto, YSRCP has kept quiet over the grave charges made by Purandeswari. However, with pressure mounting and in the glare of public scrutiny, political observers think that the party may soon have to come out and explain its stand.
With elections not so distant, this Waqf Bill controversy can have serious ramifications, particularly in framing the image of minority voters.