Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu dissolves State’s Waqf Board; BJP's Amit Malviya praises move

In a significant political move, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has dissolved the State Waqf Board, which was originally set up by the YSR Congress Party. This decision was formalized through a Government Order (GO) issued by the Minorities Welfare Department on November 30, 2024, effectively rescinding the GO from October last year that had constituted the Board.

Backdrop and Legal Challenges

The 11-member Waqf Board was established following a directive from the Andhra Pradesh High Court. However, its formation process faced legal challenges. On November 1, 2023, the High Court had stayed the election of the Waqf Board’s chairperson due to disputes over the election process.

The recent GO, numbered 75, indicates that the Chief Executive Officer of the State Waqf Board reported issues related to the Board's prolonged non-functioning and ongoing legal battles questioning the legitimacy of the previous GO. To address these issues and prevent an administrative vacuum, the government decided to dissolve the Board.

Government’s Stance

Minorities Welfare Department Secretary Kati Harshvardhan explained that after carefully considering the High Court's observations and aiming to maintain good governance, the government withdrew the GO to ensure the protection of Waqf properties and the smooth operation of the Waqf Board.

Minister for Minority Welfare N. Md. Farooq stated that the coalition government, led by Naidu, is dedicated to the protection and management of Waqf properties and the welfare of minorities. He emphasized that the dissolution was necessary to address the legal issues that had created a vacuum in the Board’s functioning.

New Appointments and Political Reactions

In September, the coalition government appointed TDP leader Shaik Abdul Aziz as the chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board. Abdul Aziz, a former Mayor of Nellore and the current TDP president for the Nellore parliamentary constituency, is expected to lead the newly constituted Board.

BJP leader Amit Malviya praised the dissolution of the Waqf Board, describing it as a necessary step in a secular India. He highlighted that there is no constitutional provision supporting the existence of such a board.

His comments come amidst the controversy surrounding the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, which is currently under review by the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC).

The dissolution of the Andhra Pradesh Waqf Board marks a significant political development, with implications for minority welfare and governance in the state. The move has garnered support from BJP leaders and is poised to pave the way for a new board under the leadership of Abdul Aziz.