Akhilesh Yadav's dig on BJP chief pick delay gets 'dynast' jibe from Amit Shah

Speaking in the Lok Sabha on the Waqf bill, Akhilesh Yadav veered off-topic to assert that the 'biggest political party' was yet to elect its own president.

In Short

• Akhilesh Yadav, Amit Shah engage in banter during Waqf bill debate
• Akhilesh says 'biggest political party' yet to elect own president
• Shah says chiefs selected from family members in some parties

The heated debate on the Waqf bill in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday saw a banter between Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the selection of the next BJP president. Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Akhilesh veered off-topic to assert that the "biggest political party" was yet to elect its own president.

"A party that claims to be the biggest political party in the world has still not been able to elect its own national president," Akhilesh Yadav said with a wry smile on his face.

This drew guffaws from the opposition benches and Amit Shah was also seen being unable to control his laughter. The Home Minister quipped that the process in the BJP was unlike other parties, where presidents were selected from family members.

"Akhilesh ji made his remark with a smile, so I will respond in the same manner. The parties sitting across from us in this House all have national presidents who are selected from just five family members. But in our party, we have to conduct a process involving 12-13 crore members, so naturally, it takes time," Amit Shah said.

"In your case, it will not take much time. I am saying that you will remain president for 25 years," the minister said in jest.

The process to elect the next BJP president has been pending for 10 months after incumbent JP Nadda was inducted into the Narendra Modi Cabinet following the BJP's win in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.

The Kannauj MP also took a veiled dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his visit to the RSS headquarters, saying the "yatra" (pilgrimage) was to save his chair.

"Someone (Modi) did a yatra (RSS HQ) to extend the 75-year limit to save his chair," Akhilesh said.

On Sunday, Modi visited the RSS headquarters in Nagpur for the first time since becoming Prime Minister in 2014. The visit of Modi, who will turn 75 this September, sparked a debate over his future.