WAQF MAY TEST NDA'S MUSLIM SUPPORT IN BIHAR

Waqf Bill has stirred a political storm in Bihar, threatening NDA's Muslim support ahead of this year's Assembly elections.

- TIKAM SHARMA

Following the recent passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill, political tensions have intensified for the NDA allies in Bihar—particularly Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United (JDU) and Chirag Paswan's Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) (LJP-RV)—as they gear up for the upcoming Assembly elections. Retaining Muslim support has become a critical challenge, especially amid growing discontent. On the flip side, the Opposition—led by Tejashwi Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD)—is keen to seize the moment and convert the situation to its advantage. With polarization increasing across the state, the RJD is positioning itself to reap electoral benefits.

The Waqf Bill has emerged as a flashpoint in India's widening political divide, with Bihar becoming the epicentre of this ideological conflict. The legislation is set to significantly impact the state's political climate as it heads toward Assembly elections slated for October 2025. Anxiety is palpable within JDU ranks, especially after five Muslim leaders resigned from the party in protest against its support for the controversial bill. This wave of resignations has intensified fears within the JDU camp of losing their grip on the Muslim vote base. While JDU's influence among Muslim voters has diminished since 2014, the situation remains equally precarious for the LJP-RV.