Anti-Waqf bill demos campaign fodder for oppn & BJP
As Waqf amendments were challenged in Supreme Court on Friday, ongoing protests raised the heat on the bill in several cities. Every party will find masala for a new campaign in multi-city demonstrations. Mayawati, for one, is hoping to re-tap into Muslim votes that were once hers but have since moved to Akhilesh’s SP. Why, one might wonder, did megastar neta Vijay in Tamil Nadu, join forces with “Muslim brothers” in massive demos in Chennai and Coimbatore? Answer: Tamil Nadu may have just a 5% Muslim population, but it has the fourth largest number of Waqf properties, and its assembly polls are just a year away. Assam (34%), Bengal (27%), Kerala (26%) all hold elections next year and have the largest Muslim electorates. UP (20% Muslim population) votes in 2027. What better way to re-assert “pro-democracy” credentials than fight the Waqf battle? It is the fight on the streets that promises electoral dividends.
With Bihar polls by Nov, these protests will likely continue right through – regional opposition MGB (RJD-Cong-Left) may even find a solid raison d’être. Bihar’s 17% Muslim population can decide winners on at least 70 of Bihar’s 243 seats. Protests help BJP too. On earlier occasions, it has managed to consolidate an anti-Muslim vote, riding out such protests. But there are rumblings within key ally JDU – seniors are reportedly threatening to quit. Not just RJD-Cong, Prashant Kishor’s Jan Suraaj too is waiting. Games have begun.
This piece appeared as an editorial opinion in the print edition of The Times of India.
END OF ARTICLE
