Shiv Sena (UBT) alleges BJP tried to woo opposition for contentious Waqf Amendment Bill
Mumbai, April 5 — Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday claimed that senior BJP leaders from both the Centre and Maharashtra approached Uddhav Thackeray’s faction seeking support for the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill.Speaking to reporters, Raut alleged that the bill was designed to legitimize corruption and facilitate the transfer of land worth ₹2 lakh crore to industrialists allegedly close to the BJP. “This legislation was brought to bring corruption under a legal framework and to grab Waqf land for BJP’s dear industrialists,” he asserted.
Allegations of Pressure Tactics on Opposition
Raut further alleged that the BJP exerted last-minute pressure on Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to back the bill in the Lok Sabha. Although the BJD opposed the legislation, it refrained from issuing a whip, instead allowing its MPs to vote according to their conscience.“They did the same with us,” Raut said, “but we refused. Till the last moment, senior BJP leaders from Delhi and Maharashtra were in touch with our party.”
Narrow Victory in Parliament
The controversial Waqf Amendment Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday night, a day after clearing the Lok Sabha. Raut emphasized that the margin of victory was not overwhelming. “The bill was not passed by a huge majority — they didn’t even get 300 votes. Our (opposition’s) numbers would have increased, but some members were either absent or unwell,” he added.The bill faced stiff resistance from a united opposition in both Houses, with multiple parties voicing strong objections over its implications and intent.
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