TDP Backs Waqf Bill, But Wants States to Decide on Non-Muslim Members:

As the Parliament prepares to deliberate and hopefully approve the Waqf Amendment Bill on Wednesday, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) which is considered a major partner of the BJP-led NDA government is making its position known: full backing of the Bill, except for one provision.

The lead member from the TDP, which has an impressive tally of 16 members in the Lok Sabha, has already issued a whip to ensure every single one of them votes in favor of this bill. That said, there is one particular aspect that TDP wants to modify: the non-Muslims’ participation on state Waqf Boards.

As reported by The Indian Express, the party is likely to propose that the proposition of including non-Muslims be optional, rather than compulsory, for the different state governments. “The party will unanimously demand that representation of non-Muslims in the board be left their respective states for to decide,” explained a senior TDP source.

Besides this, the party has been unreservedly in favor of the amendments of the Bill, particularly the one that permits women to serve on Waqf Boards. This is TDP’s version of what they have labeled a “progressive step” toward responsible and participatory governance involving minority issues.

After a Tuesday night meeting, the party’s official position emerged. In the meeting, Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu spoke to some legal professionals to see the practical implications of the Bill. He also spoke to some Muslim leaders to gauge the reception of the Bill’s provisions on the ground.

TDP sources made it clear that the demand from the party is not at all about resisting change, but instead maintaining the fundamental elements of the Waqf Act and ensuring that any changes serve the interests of the Muslim community. An aid to Naidu said, "We will only support those amendments which we consider useful to Muslims."

It’s a smart strategy from a party which considers Muslims as a vital vote bank, primarily in Andhra Pradesh. The TDP president has reassured the community on several occasions that their issues are not going to be neglected. “Justice has been done to the Muslims. And under the NDA, Muslims will be better off,” he proclaimed at an Iftar event in March.

With the TDP and JD(U) in the fray, the BJP is hoping to form alliances after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, as both parties are projected to bring 28 seats. With the BJP falling short of a majority, they will need all the help they can get from NDA allies to pass crucial bills. Both parties had indicated their support in principle to the August Bill that was introduced last year.

Around noon today, the Waqf Amendment Bill will likely be discussed at the Lok Sabha after eight hours of other agenda items have been debated. On Thursday, the bill will switch to Rajya Sabha to continue deliberations and get voted on.