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The Opposition-led INDIA bloc’s CM face in Bihar and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Sunday said that he would throw the Waqf Act in dustbin if voted to power. While addressing a public rally in Katihar, Yadav said, “When we were in power under Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) did not dare to come to Bihar and create chaos between brothers. We never kneeled. Lalu Yadav always fought the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and we are doing so as well. If the BJP is scared of anyone, it is Lalu Yadav.” “I promise the Waqf Act that they have brought, I will throw it in the dustbin once we come to power,” he said. Promising development and jobs for Bihar, Yadav said he would end the era of corruption and bribery. The 243-member Bihar assembly will go to polls in two phases on November 6 and November 11, with the results set to be announced on November 14. VIDEO | While addressing a public rally in Katihar, RJD leader and Mahagathbandhan CM face Tejashwi Yadav says, “When we were in power under Lalu Yadav and Rabri Devi, the RSS did not dare to come to Bihar and create chaos between brothers. We never kneeled. Lalu Yadav always… pic.twitter.com/sgXpXbxwMk — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 26, 2025 Not the first RJD leader to say so Recently, a video went viral on social media, showing RJD leader Qari Sohaib addressing a campaign rally in Khagaria. “I appeal to all sections of the society, forget about everything, don’t come under anyone’s influence… people who passed the Waqf bill need to be treated,” he said. “To save Bihar and our country, defeat NDA, and vote for the Mahagathbandhan government. Once Tejashwi Yadav becomes the Chief Minister, all such bills will be torn and thrown away, be it the Waqf bill or any other bill,” he added. “Vote for RJD and make Tejashwi bhai CM of Bihar. He will give proper treatment to all who are against us. People who brought bills like Waqf will be treated properly and these bills scrapped,” Sohaib had said. BJP’s response Samrat Choudhary, BJP leader and ex-finance minister of Bihar, in an exclusive interview with News18, said, “Even today, people know that the Waqf Bill has already been passed in Parliament. Those speaking against it are only trying to provoke the public. Criminal elements are aligned with them, and they are indulging in pure vote-bank politics. The Bill was passed with the cooperation of all political parties, so those opposing it are misleading the people.” The Waqf Act The Supreme Court last month stayed certain provisions of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih ordered a stay on multiple clauses of the law. Among them is Section 3(1)(r), which mandates that a person must have been a practicing Muslim for five years to create a Waqf. The Court directed that this provision will remain in abeyance until state governments frame rules to determine compliance with the condition. The Supreme Court has stayed the proviso to Section 3C(2) of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which stated that a Waqf property would not be treated as such until a government-designated officer submitted a report on whether the land was encroached. The Court also stayed Section 3C(3), which provided that “in case the designated officer determines the property to be government property, he shall make necessary corrections in revenue records and submit a report in this regard to the state government”. The Supreme Court, however, did not stay the provision permitting the nomination of non-Muslim members to Waqf Boards. The court observed that, as far as possible, ex officio members of the boards should be Muslims. The Court further noted that the Central Waqf Council should not have more than four non-Muslim members, while State Waqf Boards should not include more than three. Tejashwi’s poll promises earlier in the day Earlier in the day, Tejashwi Yadav said allowances of the representatives of Bihar’s panchayati raj system will be doubled if the INDIA bloc comes to power in the state. He also announced Rs 50 lakh insurance cover and pension for them. ALSO READ | Tejashwi’s Big Promises For Bihar: Insurance, Pensions, Pay Hikes, Govt Jobs, Allowances & More The panchayati raj system consists of three levels of governance – zila parishad, panchayat samiti, and gram panchayat. The chairpersons are known as ‘mukhiya’ (gram panchayat), ‘pramukh’ (panchayat samiti), and ‘adhyaksha’ (zila parishad). “If the INDIA bloc is voted to power, we will also substantially increase the margin money, per quintal, of distributors of the public distribution system (PDS) in the state,” Yadav told reporters here. “Besides, we will provide Rs 5 lakh interest-free loans to barbers, those engaged in the pottery business, and carpenters in the state,” he added. With PTI Inputs
