Nitish Kumar’s JDU May Support Ally BJP’s Waqf Bill On One Condition. Here's What It Is

Last Updated:April 01, 2025, 17:47 IST

Sanjay Jha, Rajya Sabha MP from the JDU, said his party has requested the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to not implement the Waqf law retrospectively

JDU MP Lallan Singh said Nitish Kumar cares more for the Muslims than the Congress ever has. (PTI File)

The Janata Dal (United) (JDU) is keeping the suspense going on the fate of the Waqf law, which is likely to be tabled in the Lok Sabha on April 2.

Sanjay Jha, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) from the JDU, however, said his party has requested ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to not implement the Waqf law retrospectively.

“Our party had said that it should not be implemented with retrospective effect, and we hope that the government will consider it… As long as Nitish Kumar is in politics, the interests of the people will be protected," Jha said.

When asked about this condition set by the JDU, George Kurien, Minister of State (MoS), Minority Affairs, however, feigned ignorance. “I don’t know where you got that from…" Kurien told CNN-News18 during an exclusive conversation.

The MoS, however, expressed confidence that the bill will be passed by both houses. “People will compel the opposition MPs also. See how the Catholic Bishop Conference’s decision is forcing the hand of MPs irrespective of what their party says! All communities will support, including poor Muslims," he said.

‘MUSLIMS WILL NEVER VOTE FOR YOU IF YOU SUPPORT WAQF BILL’

Imran Masood, Congress MP from Saharanpur challenged the JDU, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJP) and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on the Waqf issue.

Speaking to CNN-News18 exclusively, the Congress MP said, “If you vote in favour of the waqf bill, Muslims will never vote for you."

Dismissing the Congress critique, Union minister and JDU MP Lallan Singh said Nitish Kumar cares more for the Muslims than the Congress ever has. “The JDU or Kumar does not need a certificate from the Congress. They should look within. They ruled the country and Bihar for so long. What did they do for the Muslims," he asked.

Even the TDP said that Chandrababu Naidu will take a decision keeping in mind the best interests of the Muslim community.

“Our party will support it. Naidu has already mentioned that we will work in the interests of the Muslim community. Tomorrow, the bill will be tabled, only then will we make any comments on it. I assure you that Naidu is in favour of Muslims," TDP leader and national spokesperson Prem Kumar Jain said.

News politics Nitish Kumar’s JDU May Support Ally BJP’s Waqf Bill On One Condition. Here's What It Is