Nitish Kumar’s Waqf Gamble: For JDU, The Reply Lies In The Numbers – News18
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The Bihar chief minister, a seasoned political strategist, succeeded in convincing the BJP in regards to the political sensitivity linked with the problem, particularly in an election yr
Nitish Kumar properly balanced his Muslim vote base whereas upholding coalition duty. (PTI)
JD(U)’s consent to the proposed type of Waqf Invoice has now made it amply clear that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has fastidiously navigated a contentious political problem forward of the meeting elections within the state.
Kumar properly balanced his Muslim vote base whereas upholding coalition duty. As a substitute of outrightly opposing the Invoice, the celebration took a nuanced stance by pushing it for the JPC and in addition expressing issues over its retrospective influence. This calculated strategy ensures it retains its personal Muslim help whereas stopping any possible shift towards the RJD. And, he did all of it with out jeopardising its alliance dynamics.
Talking to News18, a senior JD(U) chief stated: “Step one Nitish Kumar took was convincing the BJP’s central management to agree on the JPC. Sending a Invoice to the JPC instantly implies that the federal government is open for scrutiny. The JPC included members from all political events, so the onus is on everybody. Nitish-ji additionally instructed our MPs to be vocal in regards to the retrospective impact and the federal government agreed on that.”
The chief, near Kumar, added: “Nitish-ji has at all times remained dedicated to his values of socialism and secularism. He’s in favour of defending the minority. Has anybody heard of any communal riots in Bihar put up 2005? He has made positive that peace stays right here.”
JDU’s Sharp Manoeuvring
Kumar’s major concern was not the potential lack of Muslim votes however the threat of these votes migrating to the RJD, his most important political rival.
Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, JD(U)’s nationwide spokesperson, stated in an announcement: “A delegation of essential and influential Muslim leaders met Nitish Kumar-ji and expressed their concern over the Waqf Invoice. He instructed our MP Dileswar Kamait, who was a member of the JPC, to boost these points. And he did so. We imagine that Nitish-ji’s suggestion can be taken. Within the case of Bihar, Nitish-ji has additionally been honest to the minority group. We by no means witnessed any riot or curfew within the state.”
The Invoice, that’s scheduled to be tabled on Wednesday, seeks to deliver reforms to the administration of Waqf properties. Nevertheless, it has stirred a debate as a consequence of its retrospective provisions. Although many political events, together with JD(U), acknowledge the necessity for reform, the retrospective facet raised issues, particularly in a state like Bihar, the place spiritual sensitivities play a big position in electoral outcomes.
Kumar, a seasoned political strategist, succeeded in convincing the BJP in regards to the political sensitivity linked with the problem, particularly in an election yr. The chief minister has lengthy been sustaining a fragile stability of interesting to varied social and non secular teams.
Nevertheless, his warning over the retrospective clauses of the upcoming Waqf Invoice stemmed from the quantity crunching at play.
His major concern was not about dropping the Muslim vote per se, as he has cultivated a status of supporting minority rights through the years. The true fear was a couple of potential shift of Muslim votes from JD(U) to RJD, which may weaken his place within the upcoming elections.
Numbers Inform The Story
Going by the census and authorities information, just one district in Bihar—Kishanganj—is Muslim‐majority. This district contributes roughly three meeting constituencies (Kishanganj, Thakurganj, and Bahadurganj) the place Muslims type greater than 50 per cent of the citizens. Nevertheless, from a political perspective, that’s not all. Muslims in Bihar are an influential voter base and may swing elections.
As political analysts communicate of “Muslim‐dominated” seats in Bihar, they usually seek advice from the bigger Seemanchal area—which incorporates elements of Purnia, Katihar, Araria, along with Kishanganj.
On this total area, which accounts for round 24-25 meeting seats, Muslims usually type a decisive vote financial institution (averaging round 40–47 per cent of the inhabitants) in order that even once they aren’t an outright majority, their votes are important in figuring out the electoral final result.
In accordance with a report by ADRI (Asian Improvement Analysis Institute) on the demography and social circumstances of marginal communities throughout Seemanchal, revealed in 2024, the Muslim group rose larger than earlier than by way of proportion. The report—Social-Financial Standing of Marginalised Communities In The Seemanchal Area— acknowledged that round 60.66 per cent of households had been Muslim, and 39.34 per cent had been Hindus within the area. Of Muslims, round 43.32 per cent of Muslim households belonged to Excessive Backward Lessons (EBCs), whereas 24.92 per cent of Hindu households had been EBCs. This report presents a vital situation of the area and the challenges.
Thus, Kumar’s nuanced place on the Waqf Invoice is a tactical transfer aimed toward securing his political turf within the face of Bihar’s advanced caste and non secular dynamics.
