Congress Leader Alarms JPC on Communal Undertones in Waqf Amendment Bill Discussions

Congress leader BK Hariprasad has called for a balanced and inclusive approach to the proposed Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, urging the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the bill to avoid any communal bias. On Thursday, Hariprasad emphasized the need for dialogue with all stakeholders before finalizing the bill.

“The Committee should hold talks with everyone on this and then take a decision. Things should not be done from a communal angle,” Hariprasad stated.

The JPC, chaired by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, is expected to seek an extension of its term to continue deliberations. Opposition members have advocated for this extension, arguing that more consultations with stakeholders are necessary to ensure fairness and transparency in the process.

Waqf Amendment Bill Unlikely in Winter Session

The bill, which aims to amend the Waqf Act to address issues related to the administration and management of Waqf properties, is unlikely to be tabled in the winter session of Parliament. The JPC is poised to request additional time to present its findings and recommendations, further delaying the legislative process.

Hemant Soren Set for Third Term as Jharkhand CM

Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, the leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), is set to take the oath as Chief Minister for the third time on November 28. This comes after Soren tendered his resignation to Governor Santosh Gangwar and staked a claim to form the government at Raj Bhawan.

A Resounding Victory for I.N.D.I.A. Bloc

The JMM-led coalition, part of the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc, secured a decisive victory in the recent Jharkhand assembly elections, winning 56 seats in the 81-member assembly. The JMM itself claimed 34 seats, while allies Congress, RJD, and CPI-ML contributed 16, 4, and 2 seats, respectively.

Hariprasad celebrated the win, attributing it to the leadership of Soren and the unity within the INDIA alliance. “This is the victory of Hemant Soren and the INDIA alliance. In the coming days, Jharkhand will further progress,” he remarked.

BJP Struggles in Jharkhand

In contrast, the BJP-led NDA faced a significant setback, securing only 24 seats. The BJP itself won 21 seats, while its allies, the AJSU Party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and JD(U), managed a solitary seat each.

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Implications for National Politics

The I.N.D.I.A. bloc’s success in Jharkhand comes as a morale booster for the opposition alliance ahead of the 2024 general elections. With Soren’s leadership reaffirmed and the bloc’s collaborative strength showcased, political analysts view the Jharkhand outcome as a testament to the I.N.D.I.A. coalition’s strategy against the BJP.

As the JPC deliberates on the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill and Hemant Soren resumes his leadership in Jharkhand, the developments underline the evolving political dynamics in India. While calls for inclusivity in legislative discussions grow, opposition alliances continue to leverage regional victories to challenge the BJP’s dominance on the national stage.