BJP hits back at Rahul, calls him non-serious political player
New Delhi, Aug 30 : Hitting back at Congress President Rahul Gandhi for his attack on government over demonetisation and Rafale fighter jet deal, the BJP on Thursday said that he will not succeed in launching his career by repeatedly making false allegations in his "parrot pattern press conferences."
"For the last two years, you have been targeting the government, sometimes by calling GST, Gabbar Singh Tax and sometimes alleging corruption in Rafale deal. You have also been pointing fingers at the government over demonetisation saying it benefitted some 15 industrialists," BJP Spokesperson Sambit Patra told a press conference.
He said the people have repeatedly rejected not only the Congress but also the versions presented by Rahul Gandhi.
"He (Rahul Gandhi) appeared today as a very non-serious political player. There was nothing new to offer and only repetition of what he already has said," the spokesperson said.
Gandhi, who addressed a hurriedly called press conference earlier in the day, termed demonetization a scam intended to benefit "15-20 crony capitalist friends" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused him of lying in the Rafale deal.
"Whatever allegations he has made over demonetisation, people have already answered in 2016 and 2017. During Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, the same allegations were leveled by Gandhi. But when the results came out, the BJP got 325 seats while the Congress got only seven. The best judge in democracy is the people," Patra said.
Attacking the Congress President, he cited various scams that allegedly emerged during the Congress regime.
"For Rahul Gandhi, reform is deform. What is reform for the country is akin to deform for Rahul Gandhi," he said.
Countering Gandhi over his claims that Modi government has favoured 15 industrialists, he asked: "Can you tell a single name among them?".
On the charge that the Modi government has destroyed the Indian economy, Patra said many international organisations have pointed out that because of the reforms, India has become an engine of global economy.
About the accusation that the Prime Minister was lying in the Rafale deal, the BJP leader called Gandhi an immature leader who plays with the security of the country and portrays himself as the PM aspirant.
"For 10-11 long years, despite the fact that squadron strength of the Indian Air Force has been drastically come down, your party and your government could do nothing to restore this strength. That amounted to compromising with security of this country," he said.
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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.
