Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who is comfortable with the Narendra Modi-led government’s assistance to the state government for taking forward various development projects, is now seen in an embarrassing scenario with the passage of Waqf Amendment Act.
The Muslims in the state, who have extended support to TDP and Jana Sena in last year’s elections, besides their alliance with the BJP, are now angry for supporting the Waqf Bill. They expressed their anger openly and even boycotted Iftar dinners arranged by Chandrababu Naidu and other TDP leaders.
The Muslims, who had solidly supported YS Jaganmohan Reddy in 2019 polls, became angry with him for his proximity with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to get relief from CBI and ED cases and also branded as `adopted son of Modi’. So, they solidly opposed Jagan and supported Chandrababu in the 2024 polls.
On his party, Chandrababu also tried his best to convince them that besides his alliance with BJP he will never compromise on issues related to Muslims. Referring to his track-record he succeeded in convincing them that he will always stand by them on all issues. However, they are now expressing their discontent towards TDP’s support to Wakf Act.
Sensing that Muslims are now angry with Chandrababu after the Wakf Act, has taken a key decision as damage control. According to the recent amendments to the Wakf Act passed by the Parliament, it has been decided to appoint non-Muslims in Waqf boards at both the state and central levels. The Center has supported this for the sake of transparency in Waqf transactions.
However, the TDP, a crucial ally in the NDA, has expressed objections to this amendment. To this extent, it has also demanded that this amendment be removed from the bill. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not backed down on this issue. This has paved the way for the entry of non-Muslims in Waqf boards.
As protests and rallies are being held everywhere in the state against the Wakf Act, CM Chandrababu realized the discontent among them towards his government. To pacify them, he has instructed the Board Chairman Aziz not to appoint non-Muslims in the State Wakf Board. With this, he made a statement on this matter.
At the same time, Chandrababu expressed dissatisfaction over the decision to lease the properties of the State Wakf Board while the Wakf Act amendment was being discussed in Parliament. With this, Waqf Board Chairman Aziz gave clarity on this too. He announced that the properties would be leased only if the Waqf Board, along with the Mutawallis of the relevant mosques, and the government agreed.
