During a heated discussion on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, a light-hearted exchange took place between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Samajwadi Party (SP) President Akhilesh Yadav.
The exchange began when Akhilesh Yadav criticized the BJP for not holding elections for its party president, despite projecting itself as the world’s largest political party.
Responding swiftly, Amit Shah remarked, “For family-run parties, it is very easy to pick their presidents. But, the BJP with its over 12 crore party workers, undertakes an extensive exercise to elect its leader.”
Hinting at the Samajwadi Party and other dynastic parties, Shah added, “You will remain party president for the next 25 years.” The remark left Akhilesh momentarily speechless, though he quickly shifted focus back to his objections against the bill.
Akhilesh Yadav accused the government of targeting the Muslim community with the contentious amendments and depriving them of ownership rights. He also alleged that BJP leaders were competing to prove themselves as the “worst Hindu” to gain support from one community.
Despite the heated nature of the debate, the moment between Shah and Yadav offered a brief respite of humor in the otherwise tense parliamentary session.
