New Delhi [India], April 2 (ANI): The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is expected to be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress issuing whips to their MPs to ensure their presence in the House.

With the ruling BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and the Opposition INDIA bloc showing no signs of bipartisan consensus, the final outcome may be determined by a floor vote based on majority numbers.

The bill is scheduled to be tabled after the Question Hour for consideration and passage, followed by an eight-hour discussion, which may be extended.

In line with the BJP and Congress, their allies have also issued a whip to all their MPs to be present in Parliament on April 2 and 3.

The opposition has been vocal in its criticism of the Waqf Bill, with Samajwadi Party (SP) chief whip Dharmendra Yadav issuing a three-line whip to all its MPs in the Lok Sabha to be present and participate in discussions on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.

Leaders of the INDIA bloc also held a meeting in Parliament on Tuesday to discuss their strategy regarding the bill.

The bill was previously introduced in the Lok Sabha in August last year, following which a Joint Parliamentary Committee, chaired by Jagdambika Pal, was formed for further consideration.

The proposed amendment seeks to modify the Waqf Act, 1995, to address challenges in regulating and managing waqf properties. It aims to improve the administration of waqf assets by renaming the Act, updating the definitions of waqf, enhancing the registration process, and incorporating technology to manage waqf records more efficiently.

The Waqf Act of 1995, enacted to regulate waqf properties, has been criticised for issues such as mismanagement, corruption, and encroachments.

(ANI)