Mumbai, Apr 2 (UNI) Shiv Sena (Shinde) leader Sanjay Nirupam claimed on Wednesday that there are differences among nine MPs of the Shiv Sena (Thackeray) over the Waqf Bill.

Talking to reporters here, he further claimed that some MPs who follow the thoughts of Hindu Hruday Samrat Bal Thackeray are considering supporting the Waqf Bill.

He said that various political parties from across the country have clarified their position on the Waqf Amendment Bill.

In this, all the parties in the NDA, including Shiv Sena (Shinde), have agreed to reform of the Waqf Board, but the Opposition parties are opposing this bill in the name of secularism.

This has created the biggest problem for Thackeray's party in Maharashtra, he claimed that the Thackeray group will oppose the Waqf Bill due to the Muslim votes.

Nirupam also claimed that misunderstandings are being spread among the Muslim community by the Opposition regarding the Waqf Amendment Bill.

The central government had set up the Sachar Commission for the economic and social reforms of the Muslim community in India, he said.

This Commission had recommended making the functioning of the Waqf Board transparent. There are nine lakh properties of the Waqf Board in India, which includes 2.30 crore acres of land.

There is a need for transparent management of the Waqf properties, said the Shiv Sena deputy leader and spokesperson.

He said that an annual income of Rs 12,000 crore can be obtained from all these properties. However, the Waqf Board itself can take subsidy from the government to pay salaries of its employees.

Therefore, the Waqf Board Amendment Bill must be passed, Nirupam said.

This will bring realistic information about the properties of the Waqf Board and their financial status, he added.

UNI SP SS