New Delhi: The Lok Sabha turned into a battleground of witty exchanges today as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav mocked the BJP for its delay in selecting a party president, prompting a sharp retort from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
During the debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill, Mr. Yadav quipped that the BJP was struggling with internal rivalries, with leaders competing to prove who is the “worse Hindu.” He pointed out, “The party that calls itself the world’s largest hasn’t been able to elect a national president.”
Amit Shah, taking the jibe in stride, responded, “Akhilesh ji made a remark with a smile, so I will respond with a smile.” He then took a dig at opposition parties, stating, “Unlike you, where leadership is decided within a family of five, we have a democratic process that involves selecting a leader from 12-13 crore members. Naturally, it takes time.” His reply drew cheers from BJP MPs.
In a lighthearted yet pointed comeback, Mr. Shah told Mr. Yadav, “You won’t have that problem. You will be the Samajwadi Party president for the next 25 years. No one will replace you.”
Smiling, Mr. Yadav fired back, referencing BJP’s leadership rules, “Was the recent yatra a celebration of extending the 75-year age limit?”
Shifting focus to the Waqf Amendment Bill, Mr. Yadav accused the government of using the legislation to distract from failures like demonetization, unemployment, and inflation. He questioned BJP’s commitment to women’s representation, challenging them to field more women candidates in Bihar elections.
Accusing the government of using the bill for political gains, Mr. Yadav claimed, “The real motive is to take control of Waqf properties through the back door and create an atmosphere of fear among Muslims for political polarization.” He further pressed the government to ensure that Waqf land would not be repurposed.
The heated exchange came amid a marathon Lok Sabha debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill, which the government claims aims to enhance the management of Waqf properties. The opposition, led by Congress, has strongly objected to the bill, arguing that their suggestions were ignored by the Joint Parliamentary Committee.
Despite opposition resistance, BJP appears poised for victory in the vote, with its 240 MPs and support from key allies like TDP and JDU, pushing the NDA’s tally to an expected 295 votes—comfortably above the 272-majority mark. The opposition bloc, with around 234 votes, faces an uphill battle.
