Muslim candidates from parties allied with the BJP in Bihar's National Democratic Alliance are facing difficult questions from voters during the ongoing assembly election campaign. The main issue is their parties' support for the Waqf Amendment Bill passed in April, along with concerns about being in alliance with the BJP. The Janata Dal (United), which claims support from 20 percent of Bihar's Muslim population, has fielded candidates from the community in Araria, Jokihat, Amour, and Chainpur. The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has one Muslim candidate in Bahadurganj. These candidates are defending their parties' stance by highlighting development work, transparency in waqf property management, and equal distribution of government scheme benefits across communities. All five contested seats will vote in the second phase on November 11.
Candidates defend alliance and Waqf Bill support
Shagufta Azim, contesting from Araria on a JD(U) ticket, addresses voter concerns by explaining that the Waqf amendments bring transparency to property management. She argues the bill would have passed regardless since the NDA holds a majority in Parliament. On the BJP alliance, she credits Bihar's development to the state government working with these partners. In Amour, candidate Saba Zafar focuses his campaign on local development issues. Mohd Kalimuddin from LJP(RV) in Bahadurganj asks voters to question waqf board officials about benefits delivered through waqf properties instead. He also urges Muslims not to focus on rally speeches but examine ground-level delivery of welfare schemes to all communities equally.
Source: Link