The support of Bihar’s ruling allies, Janata Dal (United) (JDU) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) for the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament has sparked significant backlash from their Muslim support base, threatening to disrupt the political equilibrium in the state ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. Both parties, traditionally aligned with minority voters in Bihar, are now facing a political crisis with the resignation of several key Muslim leaders and growing public dissatisfaction over their stance on the Bill.

The Waqf Bill, which has been criticized by several Muslim organizations, has become a contentious issue for JDU and LJP (Ram Vilas), who have historically enjoyed a strong Muslim voter base. The BJP-led NDA coalition, with its strong support base among upper-caste Hindus and EBCs (Economically Backward Classes), is now in an uncomfortable position as JDU and LJP try to manage their Muslim constituency.

Backlash and Resignations

The most significant blow to JDU’s Muslim support came when five prominent Muslim leaders from the party resigned in just three days over the party’s support for the Bill. These resignations have triggered a flurry of activity within the party as it scrambles to manage the fallout. Among the resigned members were JDU Minority Cell Secretary Mohammad Shahnawaz Mallik and Bettiah district Vice-President Nadeem Akhtar, with some resignations directly attributing the party’s support for the Waqf Bill to a loss of Muslim support ahead of the upcoming state elections.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Bihar’s main opposition party, has used the Waqf Bill issue to launch a scathing attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, labeling him an “RSS sympathizer” and accusing him of being non-secular. The RJD, led by Tejashwi Yadav, has intensified its campaign by circulating a photograph of Nitish Kumar in RSS attire, mocking his stance and questioning his commitment to secularism. On April 5, 2025, Tejashwi Yadav declared that if his party came to power, it would repeal the Waqf Bill.

JDU’s Damage Control Efforts

In response to the resignations and criticism, JDU has attempted to downplay the issue, arguing that the leaders who resigned were not significant members of the party. The party’s Minority Cell held a press conference on April 5, attempting to justify the party’s support for the Waqf Bill. Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, a national spokesperson for JDU, claimed that the Bill was being misunderstood by some leaders and that it was a progressive law aimed at benefiting the Muslim community. He further emphasized that the party was in touch with its leaders to help them understand the legislation better.

However, the party’s efforts to downplay the issue have been challenged by some senior members, including former Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Rasool Baliyawi and party MLC Ghulam Gous, who have publicly expressed their discontent over the support for the Bill. The internal divide within JDU regarding the Waqf Bill has only deepened, and the party is now forced to take urgent steps to manage Muslim sentiments ahead of the polls.

LJP Faces Similar Criticism

The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), led by Chirag Paswan, is also facing criticism over its stance on the Waqf Bill. The LJP (Ram Vilas) faction, in particular, has been under scrutiny for supporting the Bill, with several district-level Muslim leaders voicing their opposition. Meanwhile, Chirag Paswan himself has acknowledged the anger and dissatisfaction among the Muslim community in Bihar over the Bill, stating that he respects their sentiments.

Pashupati Kumar Paras, the estranged uncle of Chirag Paswan and leader of the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLJP), a breakaway faction of LJP, has condemned the Waqf Bill for offending Muslim sentiments. Paras, believed to be aligning himself with the RJD, has further complicated the political dynamics in the state. His opposition to the Bill has drawn attention, as it mirrors the growing discontent within the LJP’s traditional Muslim vote base.

Political Consequences in the Bihar Elections

The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections are just a few months away, and the political fallout from the Waqf Bill support could have severe consequences for JDU and LJP. Historically, the JD(U) and LJP have enjoyed support among Muslim voters, but this support has diminished since 2014 with the rise of the Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre. The 2020 Bihar Assembly elections saw the BJP emerge as a major force, even as the Grand Alliance led by Tejashwi Yadav made significant strides. Now, with JDU and LJP alienating their Muslim voters, the 2025 elections could witness a shift in the political dynamics.

The RJD is keenly aware of this development and has seized the opportunity to appeal to Muslim voters, presenting themselves as the defenders of secularism and promising to repeal the Waqf Bill if they come to power. This presents a significant challenge for Nitish Kumar’s JDU, which must now engage in extensive damage control to restore its standing among Bihar’s Muslim community before the elections.

Conclusion

The political crisis caused by the Waqf Bill is a thorny issue for both JDU and LJP as they scramble to retain Muslim support ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. With growing resignations from Muslim leaders, the RJD capitalizing on the discontent, and the BJP watching from the sidelines, the ruling alliance faces a tough road ahead. Nitish Kumar and Chirag Paswan will need to carefully balance their political alliances and manage Muslim sentiments if they wish to maintain their relevance in Bihar’s rapidly changing political landscape.

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