Thu Apr 03 12:25:46 UTC 2025: ## BJP Allies Support Contentious Waqf Bill After Negotiations

**New Delhi** – The passage of the amended Waqf Bill has been met with surprise, as secular parties Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) – traditionally critical of BJP’s stances on Muslim issues – threw their support behind the legislation. Sources reveal this support stemmed from extensive behind-the-scenes negotiations between the BJP and its coalition partners.

While the TDP and JD(U) have historically opposed BJP policies impacting the Muslim community, including the Uniform Civil Code, the BJP successfully persuaded them to support the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. High-level meetings prior to the bill’s August introduction highlighted its purported aim to protect Muslim interests and women’s rights, countering opposition claims of communal polarization.

Although initially hesitant, the TDP and JD(U) expressed concerns regarding certain provisions, particularly those affecting existing Waqf properties and state government authority. These concerns led to the bill’s referral to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), which incorporated 14 amendments based on suggestions from the allies.

Key amendments included preventing retrospective application of the law to protect existing religious sites and ensuring state consultation on Waqf land management. The TDP also advocated for enhanced dispute resolution mechanisms and a revised timeline for online document submission.

Following the JPC’s recommendations and subsequent cabinet approval, both the JD(U) and TDP publicly endorsed the bill, emphasizing its benefits for Muslim women and marginalized communities. Other BJP allies, including the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), also voiced their support. Home Minister Amit Shah personally met with JD(U) leaders to confirm the incorporation of their suggestions.

In the Lok Sabha debate, JD(U)’s Lallan Singh strongly advocated for the bill, citing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s pro-Muslim policies, while TDP’s KP Tenneti highlighted similar initiatives by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. This unified support among BJP allies, sources suggest, reflects a continuation of Prime Minister Modi’s leadership style from his second to his current term.

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