Waqf row: Debate intensifies as Minister hurls corruption charge against BJP State chief

Congress and BJP clash over waqf property encroachments, with accusations of bribery and legislative debate.

The ruling Congress and Opposition BJP continued to clash in the legislature over the issue of waqf property encroachments, even as Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge on Friday accused BJP State president B.Y. Vijayendra of offering a bribe of ₹150 crore to former chairman of the Karnataka State Minorities Commission Anwar Manippady to remain quiet on encroachment of waqf properties.

“On whose behalf did Mr. Vijayendra meet Mr. Manippady or to protect whom? He has alleged that Mr. Vijayendra offered a bribe of ₹150 crore to drop the issue when his (the latter’s) father, B.S. Yediyurappa, was the Chief Minister,” the Minister told the Legislative Assembly during the discussion on the waqf issue. “Is Mr. Manippady still in the BJP? Why has there been no disciplinary action against him despite his charges? He has also claimed to have written to the Prime Minister,” Mr. Kharge said, quoting media reports in July 2022.

In response, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad said he was not aware whether Mr. Manippady was still in the party or not, and that Mr. Kharge was trying to divert attention from the issue.

When Vijayapura legislator Basanagouda R. Patil Yatnal tried to intervene, Mr. Kharge shot back, “You have accused the BJP State president of being corrupt and have accused him of parking money in Dubai and Mauritius.” Mr. Vijayendra, who had spoken earlier on the issue, was not in the House, and a few BJP members urged the Minister not to refer to the issue when the member was not present.

Earlier, terming the waqf Act as a “dark legislation”, Mr. Yatnal said, “The country, mutts, temples, and Dalits cannot be safe because of the legislation. I have written to the Prime Minister five times to scrap the waqf board.” The House should pass a resolution offering support to the amendments being brought to the waqf Act, he urged.

Responding to the Congress’ attack on the BJP that notices were also issued during Basavaraj Bommai’s regime, Leader of Opposition R. Ashok said: “The current problem is due to provisions of the Act after their amendments in 1995 and 2013 by the Congress. They were issued as per the procedure introduced after the amendments.” 

Quoting statistics from the government, he said a total of 47,470 waqf properties are in Karnataka with an extent of 1.11 lakh acres, of which 84,000 acres are in dispute. Congress members frequently interrupted him and said that the BJP leader was speaking against the spirit of the party’s manifesto of 2004.