New Delhi, April 3:
The central government passed the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The government got tremendous support from all the constituent parties of the NDA and 288 MPs voted in favor of the bill. At the same time, 232 votes were cast against it. With this, the way for the bill to go to the Rajya Sabha was cleared. Union Minority Minister Kiren Rijiju also introduced this bill in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. However, the real test of the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024 is being considered in this House itself. In fact, the majority of the NDA in the Rajya Sabha is stable at the required number. In such a situation, the movement of any MP of any party of the alliance can become an obstacle in the way of passing the bill.
Meanwhile, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has changed its stand of opposing the Wakf Amendment Bill. Now the party MP Sasmit Patra has said that no whip has been issued by the party for the Wakf Bill. MPs can listen to the voice of their conscience and vote on the Wakf Bill in the Rajya Sabha.
It is worth noting that BJD had said that it would oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill before the discussion in the Lok Sabha. However, now the change in the decision has weakened the position of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha. Actually, BJD has 7 MPs in the Rajya Sabha. Earlier they were counted in the opposition. However, now the stand of these MPs is not decided. In such a situation, the strength of the opposition on the Waqf Bill is bound to weaken further. (Agencies)
