Amaravati: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has issued a whip to all its Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha, directing them to support the government’s position on the Waqf Amendment Bill, set to be introduced on April 2.
The three-line whip requires all TDP MPs to be present in the Lok Sabha to back the government’s stance on what is expected to be a significant topic of debate. The TDP, which is a coalition partner in the BJP-led NDA government, underscored its commitment to ensuring its perspective on this crucial legislation is effectively communicated.
G. M. Harish Balayogi, the TDP’s chief whip in the Lok Sabha, conveyed that significant legislative business will be discussed on April 2, urging all TDP members to remain in the House throughout the day and support the government’s position.
With 16 MPs in the Lok Sabha, the TDP plays a pivotal role in the current government, making their backing essential for the passage of the contentious bill.
On March 27, Muslim organizations boycotted Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s Iftar party as a protest against his implicit support for the Waqf Amendment Bill. Responding to a call from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), Muslim leaders abstained from the Iftar dinner to exert pressure on the TDP to compel the Narendra Modi administration to withdraw the bill.
The AIMPLB had called for a boycott of Iftar events hosted by the TDP-led NDA government in Vijayawada and other locations in Andhra Pradesh, demanding the withdrawal of the Waqf Amendment Bill from Parliament.
In October of the previous year, a delegation from AIMPLB met Chandrababu Naidu, urging him to oppose the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 in Parliament. They presented their concerns regarding the proposed amendments, which they argued would harm Waqf properties and negatively impact Muslim sentiments.
The AIMPLB leaders explained to Naidu how the amendments could undermine the purpose of Waqf and threaten the community’s interests. The TDP chief assured them that a thoughtful decision would be made after further discussions on the matter.
