Union MoS Suresh Gopi Calls Waqf Board A 'Four-Lettered Monstrosity', Says 'We Will Put It In Its Place'

Speaking at a public meeting in support of BJP's Wayanad bypoll candidate, Navya Haridas, Suresh Gopi stated that no board "will be allowed to stand straight here".

File photo of Union Minister Suresh Gopi.

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Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Saturday referred to the Waqf Board as a "four lettered monstrosity" and stated that the central government will address it. The comments followed sharp criticism from the IUML.

Lashing out at Suresh Gopi, Congress ally P K Kunhalikutty, national general secretary of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), contended that rather than making divisive statements, the Union Minister should have focused on securing central aid for the rehabilitation of Wayanad’s landslide-affected residents.

Speaking at a public meeting in support of BJP's Wayanad bypoll candidate, Navya Haridas, Gopi stated that no board "will be allowed to stand straight here". "I will not refer to the name of the board. It is a 'kiratham' (monstrosity) confined to four letters of the English alphabet. It has already been made clear that this 'kiratham' will be put in its place and that no board will stand straight. We will pull out its spine," the Union Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Tourism said, news agency PTI reported.

He added that a video related to this matter from Union Home Minister Amit Shah's office had been provided to the BJP’s state and district leadership in Kerala for distribution in the hill constituency during the bypoll campaign, starting that day.

"It should be circulated from today," he added. Gopi further remarked that, in support of the Constitution, the Waqf Amendment Bill will be passed in Parliament.

"But, divide and rule is the policy now of the Centre and the state government. They are only looking to divide people," he contended. Referring to the Waqf in Wayanad, he further noted that it will not translate into votes for the BJP.

IUML Leader Lashes Out At PM Modi's Visit To Wayanad

The IUML leader, P K Kunhalikutty, criticised PM Modi visit to Wayanad after the landslides, who "conducted a show", but not even a penny was given by the Centre for rehabilitation of the landslides victims.

"The Union Minister ought to have followed-up on that issue. Instead Waqf issue is being raised in Wayanad. The Waqf Bill is before a Joint Parliamentary Committee. They (BJP) do not have a majority as they did in the past to make big statements," Kunhalikutty said.

Gopi promised that if Navya Haridas is elected to the Lok Sabha by Wayanad voters, he would work to secure her a central ministerial role.

He also invoked his well-known campaign line from Thrissur, adapting it slightly. “For Navya, I am requesting that we want Wayanad for BJP, for Modi and Amit Shah. You should give Wayanad to us. If you bless us, we will take Wayanad,” he said. Haridas is running in the Wayanad bypoll against LDF’s Sathyan Mokeri and UDF’s Priyanka Gandhi.

The by-election in Wayanad was prompted by Rahul Gandhi’s decision to vacate this seat in favor of Raebareli in UP. The election is set for November 13.