Nitish Kumar's JDU Likely to Support Waqf Amendment Bill, Will it Impact 2025 Bihar Election?

The Waqf Amendment Bill 2025 has triggered heated debates across political circles. While opposition parties, including the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), have strongly opposed the bill, the Janata Dal (United) (JDU) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have extended their support. This stance has sparked controversy, especially given the significant influence of JDU leader Nitish Kumar and TDP’s Chandrababu Naidu among Muslim voters.

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and various Muslim organizations have voiced their strong opposition to the bill, urging political parties to reject it. In such a politically charged atmosphere, Nitish Kumar’s backing of the bill has raised questions about its potential electoral impact, particularly in Bihar, where Muslims constitute around 18% of the electorate.

Electoral Consequences: Will Muslim Voters Shift Alliances?

With Bihar elections approaching, the decision to support the Waqf Amendment Bill could have political repercussions. Historically, a section of Muslim voters has supported JDU, but with RJD standing firmly against the bill, there is speculation that some of these voters may shift their allegiance. Analysts suggest that if Nitish Kumar’s move leads to dissatisfaction among Muslim voters, it could benefit opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav.

On the other hand, if the JDU manages to retain its Muslim voter base despite backing the bill, it could strengthen Nitish Kumar’s standing. Given that 47 out of 243 assembly constituencies in Bihar have a significant Muslim electorate, their voting pattern could play a decisive role.

BJP’s Strategy and Political Alignments

While JDU’s stance has raised eyebrows, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to use the bill to consolidate Hindu votes. Meanwhile, RJD is expected to leverage the issue to garner support from Muslim voters by positioning itself as a strong opponent of the amendment.

With the Bihar assembly elections on the horizon, the political landscape remains uncertain. The true impact of Nitish Kumar’s decision will only become clear when voters head to the polls.