BJP state leadership may ‘pacify’ Janardhan Reddy
BENGALURU: The BJP state leadership is said to have initiated moves to pacify former minister and mining baron from Bellary, G Janardhan Reddy. Reddy, who was keen to play an active role in the Assembly election for the party was peeved after BJP national president Amit Shah stated that the party has nothing to do with him.
Shah's statement had not gone down well with Reddy's loyalists in the party, including BJP MP B Sriramulu. Bellary leaders had played a crucial role in party's victory in 2008 elections and Sriramulu is seen as a strong ST (Nayaka community) leader in the party.
On Wednesday, state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa said the party high command will discuss the issue with Sriramulu and take a decision. He, however, maintained that there was no question of giving party tickets to any tainted leaders. During his recent visit to the state, Shah had stated that the party had nothing to do with Reddy.
Reddy, who still retains influence among the voters in many pockets of Ballari, Chitradurga and other parts of the state, is said to be upset by Shah's statement. BJP candidates in Ballari district would be keen to get his support as any trouble at this stage can do a lot of damage to the party in the region.
Sources in the party said Reddy will work for BJP during the elections and strive for the victory of the party candidates. More importantly, he wants to tighten his grip over the Ballari and neighbouring districts where he and his friend Ballari MP Sriramulu have a hold over the electorate. Sriramulu had earlier stated that his close friend will be supporting BJP candidates in the general elections. He, however, had refused to comment about the party president's statement.Reddy was arrested in illegal mining case is out on bail. He is barred from entering Ballari.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
