MP's support to Munambam protest, Waqf amendment bill upsets UDF's balancing act

UDF PARTNER and Kerala Congress (Joseph) MP Francis George's assurance to Munambam protesters led by the Church that the party would back the amendments to the Waqf Act proposed by the Centre has landed the Opposition on a sticky wicket.

- K S SREEJITH @T'Puram

The Muslim League is unhappy with the development, coming as it does ahead of the local body elections this year.

Addressing the protesters at Munambam, Francis said it was not right that the Waqf Board could claim any land. The provision in the Waqf Act that the final authority to appeal against the takeover was the board was also not right, he said, while saying both he and his party agreed with the Waqf amendment bill.

However, speaking to TNIE later, Francis maintained he did not say anything controversial. "Everyone agrees the board should not declare any land as waqf. There should also be a judicial system for appeals. In the Parliament, the INDIA bloc will take a call after discussions," he said.