INDIA bloc to vote against Waqf (Amendment) Bill; Congress faces high-stakes battle

After a long gap, floor leaders of over 15 INDIA bloc parties, including the Congress, SP, DMK, and TMC, held a joint meeting on Tuesday evening and resolved to oppose and vote against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill clause by clause when it is taken up for consideration in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

While the Opposition remains united against the Bill, many Congress leaders privately admit that the party faces a high-stakes challenge. Unlike one-state regional parties that thrive on narrow identity politics, the Congress must balance its diverse electoral base as it seeks to counter the BJP.

"All Opposition parties are united and will work together in Parliament to defeat the unconstitutional and divisive agenda of the Modi government on the Waqf Amendment Bill," said Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge after the meeting. Rahul Gandhi assured leaders that the Congress would fully support the collective stance. Earlier, Opposition members walked out of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting in protest against the government's approach.


Opposition Sees a Larger Agenda
According to sources, INDIA bloc leaders believe the Waqf Bill is part of a larger BJP-RSS agenda to target minority communities' rights and properties. "This Bill is aimed at Muslims, and the next moves will target other minority communities," a regional party leader claimed. Some sections of the Opposition may resort to physical resistance when the Bill is taken up for discussion.

Kerala MPs Raise Christian Concerns Over Munambam Land Row
Significantly, K Francis George (Kerala Congress) and Jose K Mani (Kerala Congress M) raised concerns over the Munambam Waqf land dispute, which has affected a section of Christians in Kerala.

Kharge attempted to pacify them, stating that the Kerala issue could be addressed separately. The Kerala Congress parties, which primarily represent Christian voters, voiced their concerns in the context of influential Christian bodies-the CBCI and KCBC-which have supported the Waqf Bill, citing the Munambam land issue. This growing sentiment is a factor for the Congress in poll-bound Kerala, where the BJP is actively courting Christian voters.

Congress' Electoral Dilemma
Unlike some regional parties that consolidate Muslim votes alongside their core support bases, the Congress faces a more complex challenge. While opposing the Bill, the party must also weigh its impact on diverse electoral and social segments across states.

Congress leaders are keen to avoid a repeat of past political repercussions, such as the Shah Bano case and the Triple Talaq legislation. Meanwhile, the BJP is likely to use the Bill to rally Hindu voters, potentially clashing with Rahul Gandhi's renewed focus on caste census and increasing reservation beyond 50%.