Two More JDU Leaders Quit Over Support To Waqf Bill, Nitish Kumar's Party Reacts

Last Updated:April 04, 2025, 10:08 IST

Nitish Kumar's JDU was among the NDA allies who backed the BJP over the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Parliament. So far, four JDU leaders have resigned from the party over the party's move.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar (PTI File Image)

A spate of resignations has struck the JDU, a key BJP ally, since the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Parliament – with two new party leaders relinquishing their membership.

JDU leaders Tabrez Siddiqui Alig and Dilshan Rayeen are the latest to leave party chief Nitish Kumar, who backed the BJP in the Parliament on the Waqf Bill.

Earlier, senior leaders Mohammed Qasim Ansari and Mohammed Nawaz Malik were the first to resign from the party and its posts over the party’s stance.

However, the JDU has refuted the reports of resignations from the party and said that the Waqf Bill is a “ray of hope" for poor Muslims.

What Did JDU Leader Say In his Resignation Letter?

Announcing his resignation on X, Siddiqui posted a letter to the party chief and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, “Resignation from the position of State General Secretary and primary membership of the Janata Dal (United) party over the Waqf Amendment Bill."

Stating that the JDU has always stood for “secularism and protection of minority rights", the support to the Waqf Bill has “deeply shaken that belief".

“The statements made in the Lok Sabha by Lalan Singh in support of this bill are extremely disappointing and disheartening. This bill strikes at the constitutional rights of Indian Muslims and appears to be an attempt to push the entire Muslim community to the margins," he said.

He said that he never imagined that the JDU would support this Bill.

He further claimed that the latest move will have a significant impact on the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections this year.

“Its impact will be clearly visible in the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections in 2025, and soon, widespread resentment within JD(U) will trigger an exodus," he said.

News politics Two More JDU Leaders Quit Over Support To Waqf Bill, Nitish Kumar's Party Reacts