Yediyurappa turns 79, says will tour across Karnataka to bring BJP back to power in 2023
Bengaluru, Feb 27: Veteran BJP leader and former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who turned 79-years of age on Sunday said he will tour across the state after the budget session of the legislature and strive towards bringing the party back to power in the 2023 assembly polls.
The "BJP strong man" also exuded confidence about the saffron party forming the government once again, as the blessings of the people are with them.
"Despite not being in power, more than 2,000-3,000 people came and blessed me on the occasion of my birthday, I'm indebted for their love and trust. After the assembly session, I will once again travel across the state and will do all that is possible beyond my limits to bring BJP back to power," Yediyurappa said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said people are still with the BJP and will not support the Congress' hypocrisy, as they have seen them.
"It is our firm resolve that BJP should come back to power in the next assembly elections, it is also the wish of the people. We will all travel across the state and put collective efforts in that direction. We are confident that the people will bless us," he added.
The budget session would be held from March 4 to 30.
Yediyurappa, who had led the BJP to emerge as the single largest party in 2018 assembly polls and then brought it to power in July 2019, by ensuring the fall of the Congress-JD(S) coalition government, had stepped down as the Chief Minister on July 26 last year, coinciding with his government completing two years in office.
Among several other things, age was said to be the primary factor for the Lingayat strong man's exit from the coveted post, as there is an unwritten rule in the BJP of keeping out those above 75-years from elected offices. He was succeeded by Basavaraj Bommai, considered to be his loyalist.
Bommai was among a large number of leaders, well wishers and supporters who called on Yediyurappa to greet him on his birthday.
ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು @BSBommai ಅವರೇ! https://t.co/NH61hMtAaO
— B.S. Yediyurappa (@BSYBJP) February 27, 2022
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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.
