Alleges Party MPs Opposed Bill Under Pressure from Thackeray
Mumbai, April 4: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam has launched a scathing attack on rival faction leader Uddhav Thackeray, accusing him of coercing party MPs to oppose the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha. Nirupam claimed that Shiv Sena (UBT) MPs were hesitant to vote against the legislation but relented after receiving multiple calls from Thackeray.Addressing the media in Mumbai on Friday, Nirupam asserted, “Uddhav Thackeray called his MPs five times to ensure they voted against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. They had to comply due to the whip issued by the party.” He noted that the calls were made to all Shiv Sena (UBT) Lok Sabha MPs except Arvind Sawant (Mumbai South) and Anil Desai (Mumbai South Central).
The Shiv Sena (UBT) currently holds nine seats in the Lok Sabha.
“Muslim Hridaysamrat” Jibe Aimed at Thackeray
Nirupam, a former MP who has previously been part of both the undivided Shiv Sena and the Congress, also took a jibe at Thackeray, calling him "Muslim Hridaysamrat" — or "king of Muslim hearts." He contrasted this with the late Balasaheb Thackeray, who was often referred to as "Hindu Hridaysamrat."“There was enormous pressure from Muslim organisations on Uddhav Thackeray to oppose the bill,” Nirupam alleged, labeling the party's stance as a reflection of “intellectual bankruptcy” on Thackeray’s part.
Waqf Bill Passed After Heated Debate
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday and subsequently cleared by the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday after extended debates in both Houses. The bill seeks to:- Streamline management of Waqf properties
- Protect heritage sites
- Improve governance with enhanced transparency
- Strengthen coordination between Waqf Boards and local authorities
- Safeguard stakeholders’ rights
Thackeray Calls Bill a "Fraudulent" Move by BJP
Uddhav Thackeray had earlier accused the BJP of attempting to usurp Waqf properties through the bill, calling it a “fraudulent” move designed to benefit industrialist allies of the ruling party. “We opposed the bill because it’s a ploy to take away Waqf lands and hand them over to their capitalist friends,” Thackeray stated during a press conference on Thursday.The political tug-of-war over the bill has added a new dimension to the ongoing rift between the rival Shiv Sena factions and their respective alliances ahead of the upcoming elections.
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