YSR Congress Party Refutes Support for Waqf (Amendment) Bill
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Synopsis
On April 4, 2023, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of Andhra Pradesh firmly rejected accusations of supporting the Waqf (Amendment) Bill. The party clarified its opposition, providing evidence of its stance and challenging the TDP to back its claims.
Key Takeaways
- YSRCP denied endorsement of the Waqf Bill.
- Y.V. Subba Reddy challenged TDP's claims.
- YSRCP issued a whip to oppose the legislation.
- Evidence includes parliamentary records and speeches.
- Nagarjuna criticized TDP for misleading narratives.
Amaravati, April 4 (NationPress) The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of Andhra Pradesh has, on Friday, refuted claims that it endorsed the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in Parliament.
YSRCP Parliamentary leader Y.V. Subba Reddy has issued a challenge to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to present proof of their assertion that the YSRCP remained silent on the Bill.
The YSRCP's statement confirmed that a whip was sent out instructing its MPs to vote against the Waqf legislation.
Documentation from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha clearly showcases their opposition to the Bill. Furthermore, the address made by YSRCP MP Subba Reddy in the Rajya Sabha acts as additional evidence of their position, as outlined in the statement.
Subba Reddy has asked the TDP to substantiate their claims, doubting their capacity to do so and accusing them of perpetuating politics rooted in misinformation.
The YSRCP has publicly shared the whip directed to Rajya Sabha members, requiring their presence during the vote and instructing them to vote against the Bill.
Under the leadership of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the party holds four seats in the Lok Sabha and seven in the Rajya Sabha.
In the meantime, YSRCP leader and former minister Merugu Nagarjuna has criticized the TDP for endorsing the 'unconstitutional' Waqf (Amendment) Bill, stating that Chief Minister and TDP President N. Chandrababu Naidu has alienated the minority community.
Nagarjuna accused Naidu of resorting to diversionary tactics to avoid accountability. He claimed that the TDP is disseminating false narratives regarding the YSRCP's actions concerning the Rajya Sabha whip and its stance on the Bill.
By showcasing the whip, Nagarjuna emphasized that YSRCP's opposition, led by Subba Reddy, was unequivocal in Parliament. He further accused Naidu of betraying the minority community after exploiting them for electoral gain.
Nagarjuna condemned Naidu’s 'yellow gang' for toxic social media campaigns, referencing his history of deceit—from the betrayal of NTR to exaggerated debt statistics (Rs 14 lakh crore pre-election, now Rs 10 lakh crore, against the Centre’s Rs 5.62 lakh crore).
Reaffirming YSRCP’s commitment to minorities, he remarked that Naidu’s attempts to malign Jagan Mohan Reddy would backfire, predicting that public discontent would serve as a lesson for Naidu.
