RLD under pressure over Waqf support

RLD faces internal dissent after backing Waqf Amendment Bill, straining ties with Muslim supporters.

NEW DELHI: After the Janata Dal United (JDU), the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) is now facing pressure over its support of the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament. The bill, which was passed with a full majority in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha earlier last week, has triggered internal dissent within the RLD—particularly among its Muslim leaders and supporters. Many within the party did not anticipate the RLD’s backing of the bill, and its stance has reportedly created significant discontent among the party’s minority leaders.
This dissatisfaction mirrors the unrest recently seen in the JDU, where some leaders resigned in protest against the party’s position on the bill. Political observers now suggest that the RLD could face a similar exodus if the situation is not handled carefully. Several RLD leaders from the Muslim community have already expressed their disappointment, hinting that more resignations may follow in the coming days.

Despite these concerns, senior leaders within the RLD remain confident. They believe the situation

is manageable and are optimistic about being able to bring all party members onto the same page. The leadership has attempted to reassure critics by stating that the Waqf Amendment Bill is actually beneficial to the Muslim community. Nevertheless, this has not entirely calmed the unrest. In conversations with The Sunday Guardian, several minority leaders within the party admitted that there is growing unease and that the leadership’s explanations have so far failed to convince all sections of the party base.
A senior Muslim leader from the Rashtriya Lok Dal, speaking to The Sunday Guardian on the condition of anonymity, expressed his deep dissatisfaction with the party’s decision to support the Waqf Amendment Bill.

He stated, “The Waqf Bill is a significant development for Muslims, and by choosing to support it, the RLD is risking its support within the Muslim community. We are accountable to the people who elected us, and I do not see how we can justify this move. I intend to resign in the coming days. The BJP leadership has consistently targeted Muslims in their campaign speeches, and it is difficult to believe that the same party has now suddenly passed this bill out of concern for the Muslim community.”
In response to these concerns, senior leader Trilok Tyagi told The Sunday Guardian that claims of unrest among Muslim members of the party were exaggerated.
One senior leader asserted, “It is only a matter of time before the Muslim community realises the true intention behind the bill, which is to benefit them—particularly poor and underprivileged Muslims. The decision to support this legislation will not harm the relationship between the RLD and the Muslim community in any way,” Tyagi added.
It is important to note that the RLD has historically enjoyed strong support from both Jat and Muslim communities—its traditional vote base. This alliance was clearly visible during recent elections, including the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. The RLD, which primarily operates in western Uttar Pradesh, has relied heavily on Muslim support in the region, where the community forms a significant portion of the electorate across numerous Assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies.

However, the party’s recent departure from the opposition I.N.D.I.A bloc to align with the BJP-led NDA ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has sparked uncertainty. Given the BJP’s strained relationship with the Muslim electorate, this shift has raised concerns about whether the RLD can continue to maintain its support among Muslims in western Uttar Pradesh.