Wed Apr 02 11:07:59 UTC 2025: ## BJP’s Presidential Delay and Controversial Waqf Bill Spark Parliamentary Debate

**New Delhi, April 2, 2025** – A heated parliamentary exchange erupted today between the ruling BJP and the opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) over the BJP’s delayed selection of a national president and the passage of the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP’s delay, highlighting the irony of the world’s largest party not yet having chosen its leader. He further accused the BJP of using the Waqf Bill to distract from its own shortcomings, claiming that new bills are routinely introduced to mask government failures.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah countered Yadav’s criticism, defending the BJP’s democratic, member-driven selection process, contrasting it with what he described as family-based leadership decisions in other parties. He quipped that Yadav’s presidential term might last 25 years.

The Lok Sabha also saw the consideration and passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, incorporating suggestions from a Joint Parliamentary Committee. The Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, 2024, was also passed. Congress member K.C. Venugopal accused the government of rushing the bill through parliament without sufficient time for amendments, a claim denied by Speaker Om Birla. Concerns over the procedural aspects of the bill’s passage were also raised by RSP’s N.K. Premachandran, but were dismissed by Home Minister Shah.

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju defended the bill, asserting its importance for the country and claiming that opposition stems from political motivations. The bill aims to improve the administration and management of waqf properties in India by enhancing the efficiency of Waqf boards and utilizing technology in record-keeping.

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