Why BJP Is Likely To Get Waqf Amendment Bill Passed In Parliament: NDA Allies Come On Board Through JPC After 'Neutral' Stance

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) appears to be united as all modifications suggested by the NDA members to Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 were approved by the Joint Committee of Parliament (JPC).

This might boost the BJP's confidence in getting the Bill passed in the House, since the BJP, on its own, does not have a majority as it won only 240 of 543 seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

A total of 14 modifications to the Bill were approved by the JPC on Monday (27 January). All the modifications suggested by the Opposition members were rejected as voting ruled in favour of the NDA by 16:10.

BJP's allies like Nitish Kumar-led Janat Dala (United) [JD(U)] and Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had also proposal several amendments which were supported by all NDA parties.

This indicates that the NDA parties approve of the revised version of the Bill following the amendments, as opposed to their stance in August 2024 when JD (U), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and TDP maintained a "neutral" position.

This occurred during a period when other government actions, such as the lateral entry of experts into the bureaucracy, were under scrutiny by NDA allies.

Approximately half a year later, it appeared that all NDA allies were in agreement regarding the Waqf Bill, voting in support of the amendments, after the reported appeal of Minority and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju.

The BJP will need the crucial votes of 16 TDP members, 12 JD(U) members, and five LJP (RV) members for the Bill to pass in Lok Sabha. Minor NDA allies such as RLD (with two members), JDS (also with two members), and Apna Dal (S) (with one member) will also have a significant role.

The committee's final meeting is set for Wednesday, where the main topic of discussion will be the "review and approval of the preliminary report on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024".

Members of the Opposition are expected to prepare dissenting notes, which will be included in the committee report. This report is anticipated to be presented during the first half of the Budget Session.