A lively exchange unfolded in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Union Home Minister Amit Shah engaged in a spirited back-and-forth over the pending election of the next BJP president. The discussion, which arose during a debate on the Waqf bill, saw Yadav pointing out the ruling party's delay in appointing its new national leader.
With a smirk, Yadav took a jab at the BJP, saying, "A party that claims to be the biggest political party in the world has still not been able to elect its national president."
Amit Shah's 'Dynast' Reply
His remark triggered laughter across the opposition benches, and even Amit Shah couldn’t help but smile. Responding in kind, the Union Home Minister seized the moment to take a swipe at opposition parties, implying that their leadership selections lacked a democratic process.
"Akhilesh ji made his remark in jest, so I will respond in kind. The parties sitting across from us in this House all have national presidents chosen from just five family members. But in our party, we have to go through a process involving 12-13 crore members. Naturally, it takes time," Shah quipped.
Adding a playful jab, he reassured Yadav that he had nothing to worry about when it came to leadership continuity. "In your case, it will not take much time. I am saying that you will remain president for 25 years," Shah said, sparking further laughter in the House.
Akhilesh Yadav's '75-Year-Old Limit' Jibe
The BJP has yet to elect its new president, with the process stalled for nearly 10 months. This delay followed incumbent JP Nadda’s induction into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet after the BJP's victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
However, Yadav didn’t stop at the BJP’s leadership concerns. He also took a veiled swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alluding to his recent visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. "Someone [PM Modi] undertook a 'yatra' to the RSS headquarters to extend the 75-year limit and save his chair," Yadav remarked.
Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters on Sunday was his first since becoming Prime Minister in 2014. With his 75th birthday approaching this September, the trip has fueled speculation about his political future, adding another layer to the ongoing debate within the political landscape.
'BJP Wants Muslims To Be Divided'
Akhilesh further said that the Waqf Bill was brought in to Divide Muslims. "Whenever the BJP brings up a new Bill, it hides its failure. BJP is talking about identifying the land of Muslim brothers so that the issue of identifying the Hindus who have died or lost in Maha Kumbh can be covered up...Not only about the lives lost, but this government should tell where is the list of about 1,000 Hindus who have been lost and not been found yet... Union Minister [Kiren Rijiju] should tell about the land on which China has settled its villages, but so that no one creates a ruckus about the huge danger, this bill is being brought," he said.
"The Waqf Bill is not being brought with any hope; it is part of a well-thought-out strategy because their vote has collapsed. They want division even among Muslims... I, along with my party and allies, the Samajwadi Party, strongly oppose this bill. If voting takes place, we will vote against it," Yadav said.