NEW DELHI: Janata Dal (United) MLC Khalid Anwar on Saturday asserted "no Muslim leader will leave the party," even as several JD(U) leaders belonging to the community have resigned from the Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar-led party over its support to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
Also Read: 5 netas quit JDU in Bihar, which will go to polls later this year
"We sent our concerns, and all our concerns were duly answered, and we gave a transparent stand to the public. No Muslim leader will leave the party," Anwar told news agency ANI.
The JD(U), Anwar said, is "firmly" behind Kumar, under whose leadership the state's ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is set to contest the Bihar assembly elections later in the year.
" JD(U) is a secular, liberal and democratic party. All its leaders stand firmly with Nitish Kumar ," the MLC stated.
Who all have left JD(U) over party's backing for Waqf Bill?
JD(U) leaders Nadeem Akhtar, Raju Nayyar, Tabrez Siddiqui Alig, Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik and Kasim Ansari resigned from the party following the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) had urged all "secular" political parties, including JD(U) and Andhra Pradesh's Telugu Desam Party -both are among constituents of the NDA - to oppose the bill. The two parties have traditionally received significant backing from the Muslim community.
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government at the Centre introduced the revised Waqf Bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in the country.
It also aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records.
In Lok Sabha, 288 members supported the bill, while 232 opposed it. The corresponding numbers in the Rajya Sabha were 128 and 95, respectively. The bill will now be sent for President Droupadi Murmu's approval; it will become a law if okayed by her.
However, petitions have already been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional legality of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill
Also Read: 5 netas quit JDU in Bihar, which will go to polls later this year
"We sent our concerns, and all our concerns were duly answered, and we gave a transparent stand to the public. No Muslim leader will leave the party," Anwar told news agency ANI.
The JD(U), Anwar said, is "firmly" behind Kumar, under whose leadership the state's ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is set to contest the Bihar assembly elections later in the year.
" JD(U) is a secular, liberal and democratic party. All its leaders stand firmly with Nitish Kumar ," the MLC stated.
Who all have left JD(U) over party's backing for Waqf Bill?
JD(U) leaders Nadeem Akhtar, Raju Nayyar, Tabrez Siddiqui Alig, Mohammad Shahnawaz Malik and Kasim Ansari resigned from the party following the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.
The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) had urged all "secular" political parties, including JD(U) and Andhra Pradesh's Telugu Desam Party -both are among constituents of the NDA - to oppose the bill. The two parties have traditionally received significant backing from the Muslim community.
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA government at the Centre introduced the revised Waqf Bill after incorporating the recommendations of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which examined the legislation introduced in August last year. The bill seeks to amend the Waqf Act of 1995 and improve the administration and management of Waqf properties in the country.
It also aims to overcome the shortcomings of the previous act and enhance the efficiency of Waqf boards, improving the registration process and increasing the role of technology in managing waqf records.
In Lok Sabha, 288 members supported the bill, while 232 opposed it. The corresponding numbers in the Rajya Sabha were 128 and 95, respectively. The bill will now be sent for President Droupadi Murmu's approval; it will become a law if okayed by her.
However, petitions have already been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional legality of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill
You may also like
"SAD creates ruckus": Harpal Singh Cheema on scaling down of security of Majithia
Huge £7.3m Saturday lottery jackpot won by lucky single ticket holder
'Stop taking advantage': US slaps South Sudan with sweeping visa ban
Tottenham duo singled out for praise by Pedro Porro amid Ange Postecoglou crisis
Baggage handler confirms exactly how your luggage is loaded onto the plane
