The question looms over Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Nara Chandrababu Naidu: Will he stand against the Waqf Board Amendments Bill? This speculation arises after TDP leader Ameer Babu Nawab Jan claimed Naidu would not support the Bill, casting doubt on Naidu’s stance and raising concerns about the stability of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. A similar comment from a Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader has fuelled broader concerns about NDA’s unity amid tensions with unpredictable allies. The Waqf Board Amendments Bill aims to curtail the broad powers granted to state Waqf Boards under previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) rule, which allowed them to claim properties without judicial oversight. These powers have even permitted claims on historic Hindu temple properties, with no legal recourse for affected parties. The Modi government, with its pro-majority stance, sees the Bill as essential to prevent such unchecked power and to protect India’s historical assets.
Another factor complicating Naidu’s decision is the political alliance dynamics within the NDA. His re-entry into the NDA, largely facilitated by his ally Pawan Kalyan of the Jana Sena Party, was seen as a strategic move to stabilize TDP’s position in the 2024 elections. Kalyan has a strong pro-Hindu stance and even advocates for a “Sanathan Dharma (Protection) Body” to save temple lands, similar to the Waqf Board’s function for Muslim properties. Opposing the Bill could strain Naidu’s alliance with Kalyan, risking an even greater political fallout. The Modi government introduced the Waqf Bill during the previous parliamentary session, where it saw extensive debate before being referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee. However, the opposition, led by the Congress-backed INDIA bloc, remains steadfast in opposing the Bill, accusing the Modi administration of undermining minority rights. For Naidu, supporting this opposition would mean aligning with those who openly seek to oust the BJP-led NDA government. Is he willing to go against the grain, jeopardizing his alliance with the BJP? Further complicating matters, the NDA’s current parliamentary numbers rest on a thin margin. Losing TDP’s or Nitish Kumar’s Janata Dal (United) support could further destabilize the alliance, although the INDIA bloc itself lacks sufficient numbers to immediately claim power. Thus, the NDA clings to survival, aware that any misstep could invite political turbulence.
For Naidu, the stakes are high. His 2019 split from the NDA cost him dearly, forcing a prolonged struggle for relevance in Andhra Pradesh politics. Rejoining the NDA was challenging and only possible with Pawan Kalyan’s intervention. Opposing the Waqf Board Bill now could be perceived as another misstep, risking TDP’s standing with both the BJP and its Hindu voter base. Naidu’s stance on the Waqf Board Amendments Bill will reveal his vision for the TDP’s future. Will he risk alienating the Hindu majority for limited gains among Muslim voters, especially given that TDP’s power in Andhra Pradesh may not entirely depend on its BJP alliance? Yet, considering the demographics, alliance pressures, and upcoming elections, it seems unlikely that Naidu would oppose a bill central to the Modi government’s agenda. Leaders like Ameer Babu Nawab Jan may need to temper expectations, as Naidu’s calculations prioritize party survival over courting minority dissent at the cost of broader support.