Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 2: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Arvind Sawant on Wednesday accused the BJP of introducing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, with an eye on the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. However, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, a BJP ally, countered by stating that Balasaheb Thackeray would have been "pained" by the stance of Sena (UBT) on the issue.

Participating in the Lok Sabha debate, Sawant alleged that the BJP was using the bill for electoral gains. "I heard speeches of my old friends. They can only see Bihar elections now," he remarked. He also claimed that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the bill, headed by BJP MP Jagdambika Pal, did not conduct clause-by-clause discussions.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde’s son and Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde expressed his party’s “complete support” for the bill. He criticized Sena (UBT) for opposing it, stating that Balasaheb Thackeray would have never taken such a stance.

“It was shocking to hear Sawant's speech. Their stand today is clear proof of whose ideology they have adopted. Had Balasaheb been alive, he would have been deeply hurt,” he said.

The Congress-led INDIA bloc, of which Sena (UBT) is a part, has opposed the Waqf Bill, while the BJP-led NDA, which rules Bihar, is pushing for its passage.

With the Waqf Bill debate turning into a political slugfest, the divide between Shiv Sena factions remains evident as they continue to battle over Balasaheb Thackeray’s legacy.