Waqf Amendment Bill Likely to Pass in Lok Sabha with NDA Allies Backing Despite Concerns

The Waqf Amendment Bill, which is scheduled for discussion in the Lok Sabha at 12 noon on Wednesday, is expected to pass comfortably with the support of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners. While some allies have expressed reservations about specific provisions, most have agreed to back the Bill in the Lower House.

With 240 BJP members in Lok Sabha, the party needs at least 32 additional votes to pass the legislation. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with 16 MPs and Janata Dal (United) with 12 MPs have confirmed their support, bringing the NDA’s total to 268.

#WATCH | Delhi: Waqf Amendment Bill to be introduced in Lok Sabha today

Union Minister of Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju says, "Today is a historic day and today the Waqf Amendment Bill will be introduced in the Lok Sabha and this bill is being introduced in the interest of the… pic.twitter.com/l38Oxy4549

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Breakdown of NDA Support

Additional backing comes from:

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) – 5 MPs

Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) – 7 MPs

Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), JD-S, and JSP – 2 MPs each

NCP, Apna Dal, HAM, AJSU, AGP, UPPL, SKM – 1 MP each

In total, the NDA commands support from 293 MPs in the 542-member Lok Sabha, comfortably crossing the 272 needed for a majority.

Allies Voice Concerns, Propose Amendments

While backing the Bill, the TDP is expected to propose changes to allow state governments discretion over including non-Muslims in state Waqf boards. The JD(U), on the other hand, has objected to any retrospective enforcement of the law. Both parties had supported the Bill in its earlier form last year but continue to seek revisions to certain clauses.

Opposition United, But Numbers Don’t Add Up

Opposition parties including the Congress (99 MPs), Samajwadi Party (37), Trinamool Congress (28), DMK (22), Shiv Sena (UBT) (9), and others have declared their intention to oppose the Bill. Smaller parties like YSRCP (4), AIMIM (1), and Aazad Samaj Party (1) have also pledged resistance.

Despite this effort, the combined Opposition tally stands at 241 MPs, falling short of the numbers needed to block the legislation.

Debate and Vote Timeline

The Bill, amended based on recommendations by a 31-member Joint Parliamentary Committee, will be debated for eight hours in the Lok Sabha. Minorities Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju will then respond to the discussion and seek the House's approval for the Bill's passage.

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