Before the assembly elections in Bihar, Grand Alliance’s chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday gave a big statement regarding the Waqf law. He said that if the India coalition comes to power, the Waqf (Amendment) Act will be thrown into the dustbin.
It is noteworthy that Yadav said this while addressing a public rally in Muslim dominated Katihar district.
Tejashwi said, “But Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has always supported such forces and it is because of him that RSS and its affiliates are spreading communal hatred in the state as well as the country. BJP should be called ‘Burn India Party’. If India Alliance comes to power in the state, we will throw the Waqf Act in the dustbin.”
The Waqf (Amendment) Act was passed by Parliament in April. The ruling BJP-led NDA government has described the law as a strong step towards transparency and empowerment of backward Muslims and women of the community, while the opposition alleges that it violates the rights of Muslims.
On Saturday, RJD Legislative Councilor Mohammad Qari Sohaib sparked controversy by saying that if Yadav becomes the Chief Minister of Bihar, “all the bills including the Waqf Bill will be torn up.” On this, the opposition launched a scathing attack on him and raised the question that how can the Chief Minister of a state change the central law.
Meanwhile, Yadav claimed that the people of the state are fed up with the 20-year-old Nitish Kumar government. He alleged, “The Chief Minister is not in his senses. Corruption is rampant in every department of the government. Law and order has completely broken down in the state.
Yadav claimed that the NDA government has done nothing for the development of Seemanchal region. “If we come to power, we will form Seemanchal Development Authority for the overall development of the area,” he said.
This area consisting of Purnia, Araria, Kishanganj and Katihar districts has a sizeable Muslim population. The RJD leader alleged that the NDA government was copying his election promises.
He said, “We had promised to increase the old age pension. The Nitish Kumar government increased it from Rs 400 per month to Rs 1,100 per month. I promise that we will increase it to Rs 2,000 per month.”