As Parliament gears up for a crucial vote on the Waqf Bill amendment, all eyes are on the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies.
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00:00Watching to the point. I'm Preeti Chaudhary. We have two debates lined up for you. First up. Allow me to take you through the headlines
00:08Stage set for walk showdown bill to be tabled in Lok Sabha tomorrow
00:12Hope Minister Ramit Shah to speak on what bill Minority Affairs Monthly Kiran Bajiju to introduce the bill
00:18NDA India block prepares strategy for walk bill debate NDA ally TDP likely to support bill JD you make stand clear
00:25India allies huddle in Parliament
00:32Kerala film M Puran sliced and diced two and a half minute of the movie removed riot scenes violence against women cut out new version likely out tomorrow
00:48Comedian Kunal Kamra seeks anticipatory bail the comic claims Mumbai cops are out to arrest him says he did not criticize anyone directly in his comedy special
01:09Trouble for Delhi Mantri couple Mishra Delhi court orders 22 riot probe against Mishra claims charges against him are cognizable
01:19India China hold talks on the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties Prime Minister Modi speaks to counterpart Lee Kwang bats for stability and bilateral ties Xi Jinping speaks to President
01:36Murmur
01:41Myanmar Koech death toll mounts 2700 killed in the devastating earthquake after Mark 100 still missing while rescue operations continue
01:49All right let's begin with the latest news break that is coming in the walk for amendment bill all set to be tabled tomorrow at the back of it the India block MPs are coming up with a strategy
02:11Congress chief Khadge Rahul Gandhi are at this meeting Congress arm of me party TMC would have said I am peace at the meet tomorrow Rahul Gandhi to chair opposition meet in Lok Sabha as well
02:23So the opposition rallying together it's interesting viewers because till now what we have seen is a fractured opposition but the glue has turned out to be the walk amendment bill where the MPs cross party lines where the India Alliance was concerned have come together in opposition of the bill the TMC right now in that meeting TMC off late hasn't attended too many meetings of the India Alliance but in this the TMC is there as well
02:50I want to cut across to Amit Bhardwaj who is joining us for more Amit the sheer fact now it all depends on how the allies of the NDA vote and you can practically figure that out because the pressure being mounted from the India Alliance on allies like JDU and TDP on the bill is visible but if the allies vote in favor with the government then it's deal done
03:12Right Preeti you know we know for a matter of fact that in order to get these amendments passed or rather the walk amendment bill passed in the Lok Sabha the government needs only simple majority and if the JDU and the TDP sits with the government then this bill can be passed very easily in the Lok Sabha and similarly the numbers even though the government has very slight majority in the ranks of the parties in the Lok Sabha it's not a big deal
03:40but if the allies remain intact with the BJP the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the Telugu Desam party is still going through the fine details of the walk amendment bill the draft bill is with them and they are deliberating upon the bill and the final nod from the high command TDP high command is still awaited so yes the BJP will face no trouble
04:08however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time
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05:38no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point
06:08in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we are given to understand at this point in time the BJP will face no trouble however what we
06:38are given to understand at this point in time
07:08This is what our party has said and I think that the committee and the government will keep this in mind.
07:15UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath slammed loot of public land in garb of Waqf.
07:22These are the pits of selfishness of a person.
07:28These are the pits of looting for a few people.
07:32It is a means of forcibly occupying any government property.
07:38And reform is the demand of this time.
07:41Every reform is opposed.
07:44But we should be ready for such reforms according to the country, time and situation.
07:51The opposition has slammed the Waqf Bill calling it a calculated ploy to deprive Muslims of land
07:58and a direct attack on constitution.
08:01Ever since BJP has come to power, BJP's aim has always been to destroy this country.
08:10The bill is coming but before that the property is not being looted.
08:14People have left their property, people are being killed, people are being murdered, people are being killed in police custody.
08:21If they have doubts and fear then it is right.
08:24This Waqf Bill is unconstitutional.
08:26This Waqf Bill is a grave violation of Articles 14, 25, 26 and 29.
08:35This is not a Waqf Bill but a Waqf Barbad Bill.
08:39Will the Waqf Bill pass Lok Sabha test or there is a surprise in store?
08:45With Aishwarya Paliwal, Bureau Report, India Today.
08:50Alright, you know what's interesting is that the Waqf Amendment Bill will be tabled in Lok Sabha tomorrow.
08:57There is an allocated time of an 8 hour discussion in it.
09:01Now what does it look like?
09:03Well, the strength clearly lies with the NDA, viewers.
09:07Mind you, the NDA.
09:09Now, on your television screen, the total strength of the Lok Sabha, the House 543.
09:15NDA now stands at a formidable 293.
09:17The India Alliance at 238.
09:20Others at 11.
09:22Majority is 271.
09:24That would mean for the Bill to clear the Lok Sabha hurdle, 271 is the majority mark.
09:32So clearly, if the NDA bands together then it's quite clear.
09:37The Waqf Amendment Bill will sail through where the Lok Sabha at least is concerned.
09:43The Rajya Sabha hurdle comes in later.
09:45However, the fine print and why everyone is focusing on a few allies of the NDA
09:51because three allies have made their position on the Waqf Amendment Bill unclear.
09:57They haven't come out and said that they're going to support it or they're not going to support it.
10:02And one of the formidable strengths in that 293 number that you saw on your television screen
10:07was the TDP adding 16 to that number.
10:10The JDU with 12 MPs.
10:12The LJP with 5 MPs.
10:14So what you see, the trio on your television screen will be closely watched.
10:20The TDP till now is unclear.
10:22They're saying they're looking at the draft.
10:25More so, they're saying that we have suggested three amendments.
10:28The JPC had adopted it.
10:30It seems the TDP could possibly go and side in with the government, with the BJP
10:35where this Bill is concerned.
10:37But right now they're still unclear.
10:39They're saying we're unclear, we're studying, we're consulting within our party
10:42and only then will we decide.
10:44All in just yet.
10:46Nor is the JDU.
10:48The JDU is also deeply apprehensive.
10:50And the JDU brings 12 MPs viewers and 5 at the LJP.
10:53So why is the JDU apprehensive?
10:55And you can say even the LJP in that.
10:57There's an election in order.
10:59Bihar is going to election in the next three months' time.
11:01Muslims have traditionally voted for Nitish.
11:04There's a percentage, 7% of the Muslim vote went to Nitish Kumar, the JDU in 2020 election.
11:10The JDU wants to avoid another consolidation to ensure a repeat of NDA Sarkar.
11:16Basically the JDU is apprehensive that if it sides in with the BJP on this front
11:21that could mean that 7% vote it got last time of the Muslim community in the state of Bihar
11:26could be alienated and there could be a consolidation in favour of the India Alliance
11:31which is the RJD and the Congress.
11:33So the JDU doesn't want that, nor does the LJP
11:36because even the LJP also enjoys a certain amount of Muslim votes.
11:41And one of the big factors which has played out where at least the LJP and the JDU
11:46have tried to ally apprehensions of the Muslim community in Bihar
11:50were the visuals that you saw of Nitish and on the other hand Chirag Paswan from the LJP
11:56hosting iftars for the Muslim community.
11:59Now let's go to the TDP.
12:01Why is the TDP apprehensive?
12:03The TDP promises to protect work board properties in the state.
12:07Chief Minister Naidu organised and participated in iftar dinners last week
12:11basically to ally affairs as well.
12:13In 2024 is when Andhra Pradesh went into election
12:18TDP managed to retain Muslim backing despite joining NDA.
12:23So that is an important vote bank for the TDP as well.
12:27Now you understand the Catch-22 situation where key NDA allies are concerned.
12:32At the back of it the questions that we are asking this evening
12:35before we cut across to our panellists.
12:38Waqf Bill uniting a fractured opposition.
12:41We saw that TMC is now sitting across the table with none else but Congress.
12:45Off late they had completely maintained distance.
12:49Somewhere down the line the Waqf Amendment Bill
12:52has come to be the glue that binds the India Alliance.
12:55The other question that we ask the Waqf Bill
12:58a litmus test for NDA allies.
13:01Because if the allies don't support the bill
13:05then the BJP would be in trouble to pass this particular bill.
13:10But it seems the JDU and the TDP will they vote?
13:15Well it seems that they just might.
13:17But what if they don't?
13:19So that's the other question.
13:21Where will JDU and TDP vote?
13:22Will they vote in favour of the bill?
13:24On the other hand keeping in mind the apprehensions of the allies
13:29especially in the state of Bihar which is the JDU and the LJP
13:32because they've got to go to the voters in the next three months.
13:35Will the NDA stall passing the bill before Bihar elections?
13:38You know pass it in Lok Sabha but let it hang where Rajya Sabha is concerned.
13:42Let the budget session end, let the monsoon session end
13:45and then maybe after Bihar elections in the winter session
13:48they could pass the bill.
13:50Lots of possibilities there.
13:52To our panellists this evening
13:54Saeed Zafar Islam, National Spokesperson BJP
13:57Arshdeep Khadiyal, Spokesperson Congress
13:59Anupriya, JDU Spokesperson
14:01In just a short while we'll also be joined by Jyotsna Thirunagari, National Spokesperson TDP.
14:06All of you will be allowed a two minute timer to put in your point of view.
14:11Ultimately when the time finishes the fader will drop
14:14and our viewers would not be able to hear you just to be fair.
14:18Saeed Zafar Islam to begin with you sir.
14:19How apprehensive is the BJP on the ally support?
14:24Do you think they'll come in tomorrow?
14:26Till now none of the allies be it JDU, be it LJP or the TDP
14:31have come clear on their stand on the bill.
14:34Let me tell you very candidly that opposition parties are misleading the Muslim community
14:40and the alliance partner both TDP as well as the JDU
14:46are fully aware of the fact that what will be introduced tomorrow
14:50is very different from what lies there spreading the opposition bench.
14:55So we are very confident rather extremely confident
14:59that both our alliance partner will vote in the parliament in favour of the bill
15:04and will become a legislation for sure.
15:07But having said that which is important for everyone to understand
15:09that this bill is primarily meant for the marginalized section within the Muslim community.
15:17This has been discussed several times
15:21but no amendments in the work will have been ever introduced
15:26in the manner that which should have been introduced
15:28because there are certain things which actually needs to be done
15:32to ensure that the benefits should go to the marginalized section of within the Muslim community
15:36the poorer section of the Muslim community
15:39and all the discussion which had happened in the past
15:44is only to give more powers to powers to Matawallis
15:48and likes of the people who are heading the work board
15:52and they have misused it.
15:54I am telling you being a Muslim I am telling you that they have misused it
15:57for the benefit of their own benefit or for the benefit of a select group of people
16:02which is very unfair if you really understand
16:04that what was the purpose of people donating their land
16:08and reform is important.
16:10This land was denoted years back
16:14and these properties whatever it has been donated
16:19for the welfare of the Muslim community
16:21and the poorer section of the Muslim community
16:23but which has not been done.
16:25Tell me which has what has been done.
16:27Of course I won't say that nothing has been done.
16:29Something has been done but there are many things which should have been done
16:31which has not been done
16:32and this changes in the new work will perhaps
16:38will bring all those changes where important legislation will become
16:43and this will address the concern of the Muslim community
16:46as well as the opposition.
16:48Your time is up sir.
16:50I circle back to you for your next two minutes.
16:52Allow me to just bring in our other guests.
16:54I'll come back to you Dr. Islam
16:56you know just bringing in the other guests and we'll come back to you.
16:58Ashdeep Kadyal your two minutes begin now.
16:59India Alliance has found its mojo back
17:01where it comes down to opposition to the Waqf Amendment Bill.
17:05The TMC that never sat across the table
17:08at least in the last one year is doing so this time.
17:11See number one, Mr. Islam said
17:15that the Congress party is trying to mislead the community
17:19well it's the very community that has spoken against the Waqf Bill.
17:23The BJP party needs to understand that
17:25that it's an attack on the constitution of India.
17:27It violates Article 14 which is right to equality.
17:30It violates Article 25.
17:32And the BJP party ought to tell us a few things.
17:35Number one, deputy commissioners have been given far-reaching powers.
17:39They'll be deciding qua properties and qua their registration.
17:44Give us one example wherein any community is governed in this fashion.
17:48Number two, the deputy commissioners would not be from their community
17:53therefore they would not understand their rituals,
17:55their traditions, their cultures, everything.
17:57And if they would not be well-versed with it
18:01they would not be able to govern it.
18:03And number two, the Waqf by-user concept
18:06which was created by the judiciary,
18:08the BJP is trying to abolish it.
18:11Now the fact of the matter is that the BJP
18:14is undermining the judiciary
18:16and if you cannot respect and regard the judiciary
18:19at least do not disrespect it
18:21and disregard the decisions that have been taken by the judiciary
18:24over a period of time after deliberations.
18:27Next is that the National Council,
18:29the State Board and the Tribunals,
18:31their authority has been mitigated,
18:34their stature has been mitigated,
18:36their composition has been mitigated.
18:38Why does the BJP have to do that?
18:40And next is that through the JPC
18:43the BJP has bulldozed their way with it
18:46and it's unprecedented
18:48that there was no clause-by-clause discussion
18:50that happens every time in a JPC.
18:52And in the Parliament, the bill is going to be tabled for two days.
18:55For 495 pages, around 480-490 pages,
18:59is it possible to go clause-by-clause,
19:02discuss everything just within two days?
19:05So the Bhatiya Janata Party is basically doing what it always does,
19:09doing away with debate, discussion,
19:11not consulting, including anyone,
19:13even the stakeholders and doing what they like.
19:16Okay, Mr. Khadiyal, your time is up.
19:18I'll come back to you.
19:20Allow me to bring in Anupriya,
19:22the spokesperson of the JDU.
19:23It does seem that it's a catch-22 for the JDU.
19:26Number one, where does the JDU stand on the Waqf bill?
19:29Tomorrow, are you in support of your ally BJP
19:31when the bill is tabled in Lok Sabha?
19:53Yes, I am in support of the bill.
19:55After talking to the Honourable Chief Minister,
19:57whatever suggestions came up,
19:59we have kept our words through the JPC.
20:01We hope that the way all the parties
20:03and opposition parties have been invited to the JPC,
20:05and they have been invited to keep their words,
20:07but the thing to understand is that
20:09we are the opposition party
20:11that only votes on the Muslim community.
20:15Because you said that there are elections in Bihar
20:17and we are worried about the voters.
20:19Not at all.
20:21The Honourable Chief Minister's son in Bihar
20:23has seen the Ganga-Jammu culture in the people of Bihar.
20:26As you must have seen a few days ago,
20:28we celebrated Holi with love
20:30and we paid our Nawaz in Ramadan.
20:33The Muslim brothers did so with goodwill.
20:35There was no riot during the time of the Chief Minister,
20:37which is in the form of Congress
20:39and the RJD alliance,
20:41whose only agenda is
20:43to use the people of the Muslim community
20:45as their voters.
20:48When you talk about political empowerment
20:50or giving a seat,
20:51they do not bring their own people,
20:53they bring the people of their families.
20:55Whatever our objections were on the bill,
20:57we kept them in the JPC.
20:59And as for tomorrow,
21:01I am not able to say that
21:03all the senior leaders there
21:05will do their job
21:07because our representatives there,
21:09whether I am talking about Sanjay Jhadi
21:11or Lallan Singh,
21:13they have kept their words in the JPC
21:15and we hope that the suggestions
21:17that we have put up
21:19will be considered
21:21and everyone's support
21:23and development happens in the same way.
21:25And when we talk about the constitution,
21:27the country can run only with the constitution
21:29that everyone is allowed
21:31to keep their words to themselves.
21:33So our concern is not about the voters at all,
21:35our concern is about everyone.
21:37And when I talk about Bihar…
21:39Anupriya ji, I will give you a minute
21:41because you did not answer
21:43the question I asked you, madam,
21:45that where is the JDU?
21:47Are you in support
21:49of the bill that is going to be tabled tomorrow?
21:51No.
21:53Because what was to happen in the JPC
21:55has happened now.
21:57Have you read the draft
21:59that will be tabled tomorrow
22:01in the Lok Sabha,
22:03your party leaders,
22:05and are you in support or not?
22:07I think you will get
22:09the answer to this
22:11at 12 o'clock tomorrow.
22:13There is no need to show so much enthusiasm
22:15and I am not capable either.
22:17I am the spokesperson of the state here
22:19and I am not even the national spokesperson.
22:21I have given an affirmative response
22:23and I think the bill will be tabled tomorrow
22:25and will have a final say
22:27but I have to say this,
22:29the talk about the NDA alliance
22:31and the rest of the Mahakalas
22:33should stop.
22:35And our demands are absolutely clear.
22:37We do not advocate for a vote.
22:39Our concern is with everyone
22:41and we will move forward
22:43with the development of everyone.
22:45And when I talk about Bihar,
22:47you can see here
22:49how today, through the BoF Board,
22:51At least, Anupriya ji, you were honest enough and Saeed Zafar Islam, you know, that's a
23:06big window into what the quandary is or the catch-22 situation you've put your allies
23:10in in the state of Bihar.
23:12Because you have an Anupriya ji who's saying very clearly that
23:15And Dr. Saeed Zafar Islam, that is problematic because you have an election coming in the
23:33next three months in the state of Bihar where your ally, JDU, in 2020 took 7% of the Muslim
23:40vote.
23:42Let me tell you, first of all, there is absolutely no uncertainty as far as the bill is concerned.
23:50It will become a legislation.
23:51It will be introduced.
23:52It will be debated.
23:53It will be deliberated.
23:54It will be discussed.
23:55And those who are spreading lies among the Muslim community, it will backfire on them
24:01because the bill has everything what is required for bringing reforms in the work board.
24:08Having said that, it is also important to note that the Honorable Home Minister has
24:12already made it clear and he has given this clarity what the demand of many of the alliance
24:20partners as well as the opposition leaders were that it is not from the retrospective
24:24data, it's from the prospective data.
24:26So there is no uncertainty associated for what lies they are spreading.
24:33What is more important, and I'm sure that all the alliance partners have understood
24:38and I'm saying that there is absolutely no uncertainty.
24:41Everybody will vote in favor.
24:43In fact, many of the opposition leaders and the opposition parties will realize when the
24:50bill is introduced on the floor of the parliament tomorrow, they will realize what they were
24:56spreading was absolutely unfounded and is something which is for the good of the Muslim
25:02community, especially the marginalized community from the Muslim community.
25:06So these things are being spoken in the media or is spoken by the opposition leaders.
25:12We are only confident and we are absolutely not concerned that whether the bill will become
25:18legislation or not, because we know that we have the numbers, we have the support of the
25:21alliance partner and we have the support of the many opposition parties as well.
25:26Even when we introduced the revocation of Article 370, that time also people were speculating,
25:32but we had the support and many of the opposition parties supported the revocation of Article 370.
25:38Likewise, you will see wholeheartedly it will be supported by the opposition bench as well
25:43as the treasury bench and it will become a legislation and it will bring prosperity to the Muslim community.
25:48Your time has ended, but I'm very interested and intrigued to know which opposition party
25:52is actually going to support you where the one amendment bill is concerned.
25:57I'm going to.
25:58OK, we'll see tomorrow.
25:59I just want to bring in, you know, before I go back to the Congress spokesperson, I
26:02want to introduce Jyotsna Therunagari, National Spokesperson, TDP.
26:07And the same question that I asked the JDU spokesperson, Jyotsna, I'm going to ask you.
26:11It's a catch-22 situation for the TDP as well.
26:14You've put forward three amendments.
26:16Whether or not they're going to be adopted is a different story.
26:19Where does the TDP stand tomorrow when the bill is going to be tabled in parliament?
26:24Two minutes, ma'am.
26:26Go ahead.
26:28Very, very strongly, I would like to say that TDP always stands with Muslims.
26:32There is no doubt about it.
26:33Always.
26:34We have been, since our inception, we have always been with Muslims and will be with
26:37Muslims.
26:38And I believe real secularism is protecting institutions, not emotionally exploiting the
26:43communities.
26:44And we believe in it and we literally, you know, instill it all the time.
26:48Now, coming back to the bill, there were a lot of deliberations that has happened, almost
26:53I think 36 sittings and 111 hours of deliberations that has happened.
26:59And our JPC, our member to the JPC, Sri Laos, Sri Krishnadevaraya, who has attended each
27:03and every minute of it.
27:05And then we had our sort of deliberations happen in our state.
27:09We went back to our state.
27:10We spoke with all the stakeholders.
27:12That's when we came out with all the feedback and we proposed three amendments, three modifications
27:18to the JPC in that particular bill.
27:20And I believe and we strongly believe that those modifications would be accepted.
27:24And anything and everything for the betterment of Muslims, TDP always supports.
27:29And again, we also believe that work land is not just a mere political tool.
27:33It's a sacred trust.
27:36And this bill, we believe, is in a way safe, you know, is a sort of a weapon or something
27:42like that to safeguard that particular trust.
27:44We believe in that and we are going for that.
27:46And one more thing is some of the parties are talking about it being unconstitutional
27:53or something like that.
27:54But no, there is a pure constitutional procedure that was followed and we believe it is going
27:59to be coming out absolutely in benefit for the Muslim community.
28:05That's what we believe in.
28:06Ma'am, you've ended 23 seconds before, but I'll tell you, I'll ask you a counter question.
28:10So the TDP tomorrow is supporting the bill?
28:14As I said earlier, anything and everything that's in support of any of the communities,
28:19not just Muslims or anybody, we are always with it.
28:21We stand by the people.
28:22Yes.
28:23Yes.
28:24Categorically, you can say that, but I would actually wait for the entire bill to be presented
28:30in the parliament.
28:31But categorically, yes.
28:32But we would wait for the bill to be presented in the parliament.
28:36You will wait for the bill to be presented in the parliament?
28:39Because right now, we are just, you know, reading the draft bill that's there.
28:43So any other modification, any other suggestion, probably we have our session tomorrow also,
28:47our speakers would also be speaking.
28:48And you're confident your three amendments would be taken?
28:51Absolutely.
28:52Because we were a part of JPC and we attended all the deliberations and I know that we also
28:57had a feedback mechanism for ourselves also.
29:00So we believe our amendments will be...
29:02Arshdeep Kadyal, at least one ally has struck her neck out and she's saying categorically.
29:07Not my words, but saying categorically, we will be supporting the Waqf Amendment bill
29:14tomorrow.
29:15So the TDP is in.
29:17That could be...
29:18You've given me a breaking news, ma'am.
29:19No, no.
29:20I also said that we are waiting for the final bill to be presented in the parliament.
29:21So you can't see my words there.
29:22But categorically, yes.
29:23Ma'am, that's what happens in politics.
29:24You read between the lines.
29:25No, we are politicians.
29:26I hope you're not.
29:27No, I'm not.
29:28I'm a journalist.
29:29I'm supposed to read between the lines.
29:30That's it.
29:31That's it.
29:32So Arshdeep Kadyal, it looks like TDP is in, JDU will let us know tomorrow.
29:42Number one, I'll give you another breaking news.
29:46An NDA ally, I asked it to the Bhatiya Janata Party spokesperson, did your ally not oppose
29:53the Waqf Bill in the JPC?
29:56Have you addressed the concerns of your own ally?
29:59And if you have, would you please like to tell us when you get your two minutes?
30:02Number two, before, a Waqf Tribunal's decision used to be final.
30:07And now the property dispute can be taken to other forums also.
30:10That is second.
30:11Number third is that without donating, the Waqf Board will not be able to claim any property.
30:18And number four, the total property of Waqf, I want to ask it from the Bhatiya Janata Party
30:23is how much?
30:24And what does the Bhatiya Janata Party intend to do with it?
30:27And fifth is, the bill or the Waqf Bill is basically depriving the community to administer
30:35and to govern its own traditions, its own cultures, its own religious affairs.
30:40The Bhatiya Janata Party has still not been able to answer this question.
30:43Give us one example of any community where a deputy commissioner governs the registration
30:50and the property of that particular community.
30:53You made that point.
30:54Arshdeep, you made that point earlier.
30:55And I want to go back to, you know, Dr. Saeed Zafar-Islam and, you know, Dr. Islam, there
31:00is a question I would think, which the allies might not ask, but somebody who's observing
31:06this, you know, will ask, which is you're on the eve of tabling a very, very important
31:11bill.
31:12There was a JPC, your allies who hold you in, you know, support in Parliament have asked
31:19for amendments, and they still don't know whether those amendments have been taken.
31:23Why is it that the draft of the bill has not been sent to your allies, Jyotsana-ji, as
31:28well as Anupriya-ji, both of them said, we'll see tomorrow what the draft says.
31:32It shows very little respect for your allies, sir.
31:37No, no, I think you misread their statement.
31:41They said what the suggestion made by them, by the representative in JPC, and they would
31:48like to see what is being introduced in the Parliament, which is fair.
31:51They will definitely like to see what has been introduced, what is being introduced
31:55on the floor of the Parliament, because bill has to be introduced by someone.
31:59Once it gets introduced, people will get to see what exactly their concern was, whether
32:02it has been addressed or not.
32:04But we can tell you that all the concerns, not only our alliance partner, but many other
32:11representatives who have met the JPC, their concerns have been adequately addressed.
32:18Dr. Islam, I'm sorry, I'm interrupting.
32:20So you're saying the draft of the bill has gone to the allies?
32:24We are reading the draft, that's what I said, I quoted.
32:27Okay, they're reading the draft right now.
32:29So it has come in.
32:30You're right.
32:31So it has come in.
32:32I would like to give all of you one minute to close in terms of where you stand on the
32:37Waqf Bill.
32:38Anupriya-ji, you have one minute to start.
32:41What will be the direction of the JDO tomorrow?
32:44Definitely, I will repeat the same thing, that we have kept our words through the JPC
32:49and we hope that as we are the India Alliance, our words will be taken seriously.
32:53Because I am saying again, it is very important for everyone to listen to everyone's words
32:58carefully.
32:59And I am saying again that in Bihar, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, many
33:03such schemes are going on, which are being done to strengthen the minorities economically,
33:07socially and politically.
33:10I will tell you a very important thing, that the number of teachers in Madrasas, they are
33:15getting the same salary that the teachers in Bihar state colleges and schools are getting.
33:20So there is no need to worry here, the worry is there, those who are in the opposition,
33:24they want to do politics.
33:26And you see, there has always been an effort to create a dynamic situation, whether that
33:30constitution is in danger, whether they have talked about EBM, whether they have talked
33:34about voter lists.
33:35All right, Jyotsna ji, your one minute starts now on the TDP's stand on the Waqf Amendment Bill.
33:49As I quoted earlier also, we stand by the community and we stand by the principles basically.
33:57And definitely, as I said, we are reading the draft bill, we are going through the draft
34:01bill, and we'll see once the bill is tabled tomorrow, we have already given our modifications
34:06and I believe and have seen some of that, that they have been accepted.
34:09So we would go by what is good for the community and also...
34:12Have all three demands of yours been accepted?
34:14That's what I...
34:15Retrospect, the one on retrospect, has that been accepted or not?
34:18No, no, you are actually coming in between my time, but no, all the three have been accepted
34:25in principle, I believe.
34:26And one thing I would like to quote is, as the Delegation Party representative, I would
34:31like to say one thing is, we don't believe in appeasement politics at all.
34:34We believe in empowerment with dignity.
34:37Our efforts for the Muslim community are rooted in development, education, safety, and socio-economic
34:42upliftment, not seasonal announcements of tokenism, which we have never done.
34:47So this particular bill also talks about, I think, the amendments that we have put up
34:52and all the other inputs that have come in the JPC, they talk about welfare for the community
34:58and GDP is always for the welfare of the community.
35:02Well, thank you, ma'am.
35:03I gave you a few seconds more where I interrupted you.
35:06I appreciate it.
35:07Just one minute each to both.
35:09Mr. Khadiyal, your time starts now on your opposition to the work for amendment bill
35:13and I'll give one minute to Dr. Isla.
35:15Well, I would only request the Bharatiya Janata Party that for once, give up on a divide and
35:20rule politics, give up on a polarization politics.
35:24This is about the social harmony, the social fabric of our country.
35:28And the fact of the matter is, we all know it, that a community knows itself best.
35:33A Hindu would know best about its religion, its tradition, its culture.
35:38A Sikh would know the best about his own community.
35:41A Christian would know the best about his own community and a Muslim would know the
35:43best about his own community.
35:44And despite that, in the Vatha vote, they have introduced people from different communities
35:49who would not know the rituals, the traditions, the cultures, the fabric of that particular
35:54community.
35:55So why do it?
35:56And the Bharatiya Janata Party has not been able to answer even a single question.
36:00I would have posted out eight to nine questions in this debate.
36:03I hope in the last minute that you won't be given to the Bharatiya Janata Party, he would
36:06be able to answer at least one question.
36:08I also give him 10 seconds of my time.
36:11Be welcome.
36:12All right.
36:13Okay.
36:14One minute, Dr. Isla.
36:15Closing comments.
36:16But I hope he'll give some answers.
36:20I just would like to inform the audience who is watching this program, Preeti ji, that
36:26most of the issues which were discussed in the media or among the people by the political
36:33parties are actually, we will find that it is unfounded when the will will be introduced.
36:39The very apprehension which has been raised, which actually does not exist.
36:44The idea was the Honorable Prime Minister has only one agenda, that how to empower what
36:49the DDB spokesperson was talking about, how to empower the community.
36:53For empowering the community, the Muslim, the marginalized section of the society, particularly
36:59I'm talking about the Muslim community, within the Muslim community, they need to be empowered.
37:02How they, when there is a lot of assets, which were nine lakh of crore of assets, which is
37:08generating very small amount of revenue, which needs to be really efficiently managed.
37:15Those assets need to be managed efficiently so that we can generate more resources to
37:18do better things for the welfare of the Muslim community and that is something which is being
37:23a target for us.
37:24Okay, I'm going to end it there.
37:25I appreciate all our guests for your time's up.
37:27I appreciate all our guests for joining us.
37:29We'll of course reconvene tomorrow on where each party stands.
37:33This debate wasn't about the constitutionality of the Vax Amendment Bill or the merits of
37:38the bill, viewers.
37:39That has been a debate we've had in the past.
37:41There have been apprehensions raised in it.
37:43This debate was entirely on the politics of it, where the allies stand.
37:48It does seem, as of now, they stand firmly with the BJP.
38:18If removed, who can replace Annamalai in Tamil Nadu?
38:23BJP MLA from Coimbatore South, Vanathi Srinivasan.
38:29BJP MLA from Tirunelveli, Nayanar Nagendran.
38:35And BJP leader and former Telangana Governor, Tamil Esai Soundarajan.
38:42Annamalai, in his response, said that he's ready to work even as a BJP carder.
39:02Nothing is certain except for one variable, and that is, BJP wants AIADMK in the NDA
39:08alliance, one way or the other.
39:12Under Annamalai, BJP split with AIADMK and went it alone in polls.
39:18BJP's vote share jumped from 3.66% in 2019 to 10.72% in 2024.
39:27However, it still drew a blank in terms of seats.
39:31Annamalai had then received a big pat on the back from none less than Prime Minister Modi.
39:43Other people think that he left such a big career and came here.
39:47If he goes to AIADMK, his life will be made.
39:51He didn't come to make it, he came to BJP.
39:55So people say, if he goes to BJP, he's a metal.
39:59He seems to be a very good-willed person.
40:03Word is, he might be pulled into central politics for now.
40:08Annamalai collateral in BJP-AIADMK alliance.
40:18So the questions that we asked this evening, has Annamalai been sacrificed at the altar
40:23of an alliance between the AIADMK and the Bharatiya Janata Party?
40:27The AIADMK alliance condition removal of Annamalai.
40:33Because the reason that alliance broke earlier was because of Annamalai, many would suggest.
40:37And the AIADMK now looking for revenge.
40:40Will Annamalai be removed as BJP chief in Tamil Nadu?
40:44Will Annamalai be replaced by another BJP in Tamil Nadu?
40:48If at all, who?
40:49Let's take these questions to our two panelists this evening.
40:52Joining me, T.S. Sudhir, columnist, political analyst, Sumanth Raman, political commentator and analyst.
40:58I'd like to begin with T.S. Sudhir.
41:02Sudhir, how do you look at the current situation?
41:04Because it does seem, especially with the commentary made by Mr. Annamalai,
41:09that in all probability, he's on his way out.
41:13Well, the fact that the BJP at the center is very keen on an alliance with the AIADMK
41:18obviously makes it very difficult for Annamalai to continue.
41:22Given that his relations with Adapadi Pandey Swamy and the AIADMK leadership
41:25haven't been so great for the past two, three years.
41:28In fact, he was one reason, because of his stubborn refusal to partner with the AIADMK,
41:33that the 2024 alliance did not take place, even though the central leadership was more keen on that
41:38because that would have helped them fetch some votes, some seats in the Lok Sabha elections.
41:42But while that may be the case, I do believe that this is being gift-wrapped in the name of that
41:49because he's a gounder and so is Adapadi Pandey Swamy, therefore both leaders cannot be
41:54at the helm of affairs in the leadership position as far as the NDA is concerned for 2026.
42:00I do believe that this is also a very carefully thought out strategy by the BJP central leadership
42:06to take Annamalai out of the equation and probably have someone else who would be
42:10more acceptable to the AIADMK also.
42:13And the fact that it would not put Annamalai in a difficult situation
42:18given his kind of relationship with the AIADMK leadership.
42:21So, I do believe that while on the face of it, it would seem as some kind of a demotion
42:26or as some kind of a snub to Annamalai or giving into pressure by the AIADMK,
42:30I think in the long run, both for the BJP as well as for Annamalai,
42:34because Tamil Nadu, let's look at it very carefully, it is a long drawn-out race as far as the BJP is concerned.
42:41It will actually work out well, both for Annamalai as well as the BJP.
42:45So, T.S. Sudhir, at present, what are you looking at?
42:48Also, maybe reflect on the internal workings of the BJP unit where Tamil Nadu is concerned
42:54because a lot is made of the succession war between the AIADMK to own the legacy of Jai Lalitha.
43:01You have TTV, Dina Karan, you have a plethora of people doing that.
43:05But even in the BJP, there are clearly camps within camps and the name of H. Raja comes out very often.
43:13Well, you would recall that soon after Jai Lalitha's demise, it was the BJP which was backing O. Paneer Selvam.
43:21Nothing really came out of his rebellion and the entire party stayed with Adhapardi Parni Swami.
43:26So, the decision to back OPS at that time came a proper.
43:31So, even though the likes of TTV, Dina Karan, O. Paneer Selvam are with the NDA,
43:35they really do not command the kind of support that they did when Jai Lalitha was alive in the AIADMK
43:41during the days in the AIADMK.
43:43As far as the BJP is concerned in Tamil Nadu, it's pretty much a divided house.
43:48I mean, I don't think anyone doubts the fact that Anna Malai is not really liked by many of the BJP leaders themselves.
43:56And many of them have held positions of power of leadership in the BJP Tamil Nadu unit in the past.
44:01The likes of H. Raja, the likes of Tamizhi Sai Soundararajan.
44:06Now, the names that you mentioned in the report before this, Vanathi Srinivasan and Nayanar Nagendran.
44:11Now, these are the two names which are being bandied about.
44:13But the fact that Vanathi Srinivasan comes from Coimbatore, the same western Tamil Nadu, Congo belt,
44:18in a sense could rule her out except for the fact that she would be a woman face and that could definitely be an X-factor.
44:24But Vanathi Srinivasan would be a dark house.
44:26I think Nayanar Nagendran, the fact that he comes from the southern Tamil Nadu belt puts him a little ahead.
44:31He has also spent years in the AIDMK and that could also make him a bit more acceptable to the AIDMK leadership.
44:37But I don't think the BJP is looking for some kind of a green signal from the AIDMK before they announce their BJP president for the Tamil Nadu unit.
44:46I don't think the BJP, given the way it functions, would really operate like that.
44:50But yes, right now, it's not so much about who will head the Tamil Nadu unit.
44:55The BJP would want the AIDMK to be part of the NDA because the parties like the PMK, the Tamil Manila Congress, OPS,
45:03or a TTV Dinakaran are essentially part of the supporting caste.
45:06They really do not bring much to the table except the numbers.
45:09On paper, the NDA may look strong in terms of the number of parties who are part of the NDA,
45:14but they would really need a pan-Tamil Nadu party.
45:17And at the moment, at least on paper, the AIDMK is the one that ticks all the boxes.
45:22All right. One quick question, TS.
45:25Before I cut across to Shekhar Iyer, you know, he's still to come on board,
45:29but what happens to Anna Malai?
45:32Because it's not that he doesn't come from backing and some solid backing where even the top leadership in Delhi considers.
45:38Is he going to be pulled where Centre is concerned?
45:42Well, there are a lot of speculation and I don't think anyone really knows what's really in the mind of the Prime Minister
45:48and the Union Home Minister who are looking at Tamil Nadu very closely.
45:52But I think it's a fact that Anna Malai is not going to be dumped as if he's a nobody.
45:59He is held in high esteem by the central leadership.
46:02They consider him as someone who has actually pulled the BJP from a 2%-3% party to the kind of position it is in now.
46:10Even in terms of perception, and that actually matters a lot as far as Tamil Nadu politics is concerned,
46:16he has managed to position the BJP in a sense both on the ground and also on social media
46:22as a party that takes on the DMK government on all issues.
46:26In fact, that is seen in terms of perception as the real opposition in Tamil Nadu.
46:30Now, that may not really translate into votes to a large extent.
46:34But yes, in matters of perception, the BJP has emerged as a party that cannot be ignored.
46:39So, that is something that the central leadership will look at.
46:42He could be moved to a different position.
46:44I really look at it, Preeti, in a slightly different sense.
46:46That actually it would work to Anna Malai's advantage if he actually stays out to a large extent of this contest.
46:52And he could be later on as an impact player.
46:55You know, I need to go into a break, but we finally have got Shekhar Iyer.
46:58There was apparently a problem with his network.
47:00But Shekhar Iyer, where do you see Anna Malai go?
47:03Do you see him go at all?
47:05Who replaces him?
47:06What are your reflections?
47:07Well, first of all, I think the impression that he is being removed, that is not correct.
47:13Because he has actually done more than one and a half years.
47:16You know, his term has been extended for the looks of elections and subsequently.
47:21Now, the only issue here is Anna Malai himself has given a lot of inputs to the Home Minister Amit Shah.
47:28Now, here the question is, you see, both the parties realize, both AIADMK and the BJP realize,
47:36without an alliance, without a division, without preventing a division in the opposition votes,
47:42it will be very difficult for the opposition parties to, you know, put up a good fight against the DMK.
47:49That's number one.
47:50Number two, both the parties have realized after they went alone for the looks of elections,
47:55that, you know, there is what is called wisdom that comes in the hindsight,
48:00that if they had gone together, perhaps they could have won at least 10 seats on the basis of
48:05if you add up the first runner-up and second runner-up in many constituencies.
48:09So, there is a lot of realization in the BJP as well as in AIADMK.
48:15But the problem is EPS is insisting that this alliance will be led by him.
48:21He should be declared the Chief Minister candidate and he will decide who will fight what seats and what number of seats.
48:29This is a problem here because Anna Malai feels, Anna Malai is willing to step down.
48:34He has conveyed, look, EPS doesn't command that kind of popularity which he had earlier.
48:39So, it is better not to project any CM candidate.
48:42Rather, NDA alliance should go as a party, as a two-party.
48:46That is not something EPS will agree.
48:48But there are many others in the party like Senghoten, who has been in the party since inception from 1977,
48:55who has also met Amit Shah.
48:57And another thing is, Preeti, at the moment things are in such a state of flux,
49:02but both the parties realize sooner or later they have to come together.
49:06Now, EPS decided to meet Amit Shah only after there were back-channel talks with the new party that has come on the horizon,
49:14that is, actor Vijay's Tamil Vetri Katchi.
49:17Now, Vijay is not willing to play seven-fiddle to EPS either.
49:21In the parallels that were held among the interlocutors,
49:25we understand that Vijay wants to contest at least 100 seats
49:30and he is not willing to accept EPS being projected as the CM.
49:34So, the whole issue, because Vijay is an untested commodity in the Tamil Nadu elections.
49:42This is the first elections and all his functionaries are all greenhorns,
49:48excepting one or two.
49:50So, these are the issues right now,
49:52but definitely ADNK and BJP are headed towards an alliance sooner or later, Preeti.
49:58Alright, would you want to reflect on actor Vijay?
50:01Because there are a lot of questions that are being raised and we actually did a poll,
50:04Shekhar Iyer, a few days ago, which seemed to suggest if actor Vijay actually comes in with the AIDMK,
50:11they have a sure or at least a comfortable shot when it comes to forming government in Tamil Nadu.
50:16Definitely, if there is no split in the opposition votes,
50:21because earlier EPS thought of an alliance with actor Vijay,
50:26in the hope that it will eventually even attract the Congress.
50:29Because actor Vijay will not accept any alliance in which BJP will be a party.
50:35Some people believe that actor Vijay is actually supported by BJP, no.
50:42In fact, Annamalai on record made an allegation that actor Vijay has been propped up by the DMK
50:49at this juncture to divide the opposition votes.
50:52Because a division in opposition votes will enable DMK to overcome anti-incumbency issues and factors, Preeti.