BJP leader CT Ravi warns retaliation if Congress eyes to induct leaders from his party in Karnataka

Vartha Bharati | 19-08-2023 | 19:55:00 IST

Bengaluru, Aug 19: Amid speculations that Congress was looking at inducting leaders from other parties in Karnataka, ahead of Lok Sabha polls, BJP leader C T Ravi on Saturday warned the ruling party of a strong retaliation.

The former BJP national general secretary advised the Congress to focus on giving good administration as it has full majority in the Assembly, and not to indulge in any misadventure.

''I want to tell Congress people --you won in the election, you got 135 seats, also independents are supporting your government, so focus on giving good administration. Leaving that if you try to do too much, we know how to do Operation Hasta-- the hand, which is Congress' symbol-- (like Operation Lotus). If we do it, you know what will be the consequence,'' Ravi said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said Congress need not worry about numbers as it has a clear majority, despite that if it tries to play too much, the situation will be bad, and advised the ruling party not to bring itself to such a situation.

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''You (Congress) have a clear majority, give good administration for which the people have voted to power, instead of that if you try to do something unnecessary, we are not the sort of people who will remain silent, and if we do something -- I can say this much -- you will not be able to raise or get up -- if they (Congress) cross limits it is not right for me to say what we will do, but one can touch and feel it,'' he said.

There have been speculation in political and media circles in the state that few leaders and sitting MLAs from the opposition -- especially the BJP, who had earlier quit the Congress, leading to the collapse of the then Congress-JD(S) coalition government in 2019 -- will be rejoining the party ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

State Congress president and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar's statement on Wednesday that several political workers were willing to join the party, and a decision will be taken keeping in mind party interest and aimed at increasing the votes share in Lok Sabha polls, has added to the speculations.

Pointing out that after 2018 Assembly polls, BJP had got 104 seats and no party had got a clear majority, Ravi trying to defend defections of Congress-JD(S) MLAs to BJP in 2019 said, ''Congress-JD(S) tried to run a coalition government but within three months, situation had turned to worst between the alliance partners, and they also lost Lok Sabha polls despite a joint contest.'' ''As there was a sense of uncertainty and anarchy, they (Congress and JDS MLAs) felt BJP was an alternative and came out,'' he said, noting that the situation is not similar now, as Congress has a clear majority.

Asserting that no one will quit BJP and go, Ravi said Congress is not in a position to keep its own senior leaders in good terms, and everything is not good within the ruling party.

''I don't think anyone will go...despite that if Congress tries to do something excessively, we know how to save our party and respond politically,'' he added.

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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025

04-04-2025 ¦ 04-04-2025 IST

Screengrab: youtube / Sansad TV

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.