Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], April 12: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati launched a sharp critique against Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, questioning his silence during the Lok Sabha debate on the Waqf Amendment Bill, now officially an Act.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister expressed discontent over Gandhi’s lack of participation in the discussion, especially when the opposition labelled the amendments “unconstitutional”—a stance similar to the opposition against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
“Is it right for the Leader of Opposition to not say anything during the long discussion on the Waqf Amendment Bill in the Lok Sabha, i.e. to remain silent despite the opposition’s allegation that it is a case of violation of the Constitution like the CAA? It is natural that there is anger in the Muslim community and uneasiness in their INDIA Alliance regarding this,” she wrote.
Mayawati further intensified her criticism by accusing both Congress and BJP of being “equally guilty” in marginalising Bahujans—a term often used to represent Dalits, Adivasis, and other marginalised communities—by making their constitutional reservation rights ineffective in education and employment.
“Religious minorities also need to avoid their deception,” she added, referring to the BJP and Congress.
Slamming the BJP-led state government in Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati said Bahujans are “distressed in every matter” while BJP workers “take the law into their own hands.” She also took aim at the increasing privatisation of government sectors such as electricity, warning that this trend undermines public welfare.
“The situation is worrying due to the increasing privatisation in electricity and other government departments. The government should fulfil its constitutional responsibility of public welfare properly,” she stated.
Mayawati’s remarks have added to the growing political tensions around the Waqf Amendment Act, as well as within the INDIA bloc, ahead of the general elections.