UCC Push Ahead of 2029 Polls: TDP, Shiv Sena Back Amit Shah’s Stand, JD(U) Opposes Move in Bihar

UCC Push Exposes Differences Within NDA, JD(U) Draws Line Over Bihar

Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) will be implemented across all 21 BJP-NDA-ruled states before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections has brought differing views within the ruling alliance into focus.

While NDA partners including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Shiv Sena and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) have backed the move, the Janata Dal (United) and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) have called for greater consultation before committing to the proposal.

The JD(U), in particular, has reiterated that its support for the UCC at the national level does not extend to its implementation in Bihar.

JD(U): Support Bill, But No UCC in Bihar

JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak said on Monday that the party’s position on the issue remains unchanged.

“When this Bill came to Parliament, our leader (Nitish Kumar) had clearly said that he supports the Bill, but will not allow it to be implemented in his state. We stand by that,” Rajak said.

The party is also expected to discuss the issue with the BJP leadership. JD(U) national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan said working president Sanjay Kumar Jha would soon meet Shah to discuss the matter.

The JD(U) has traditionally argued that any move towards a UCC must take into account India’s social and religious diversity and should be preceded by wider consultations.

The party’s position could assume significance in Bihar, where the JD(U) remains a key BJP ally and both parties are part of the ruling NDA.

Chirag Paswan Seeks Wider Consultation

LJP (Ram Vilas) leader Chirag Paswan has also stopped short of extending unconditional support to the proposal.

Paswan stressed that India’s diverse social and cultural structure must be considered before his party takes a final position.

“India’s social fabric is diverse. Every class has its own civic traditions and customs,” he said, pointing to constitutional provisions and exemptions relating to tribal communities.

He said his party was committed to both equality and diversity and called for the draft UCC to be made public, followed by an assessment of the interests of different stakeholders and extensive discussions.

“Let the draft be made public, let there be an assessment of the interests of all stakeholders, let there be extensive discussions. Thereafter, after review, the party will state its position,” Paswan said.

TDP Supports UCC, But Wants Stakeholders Involved

The TDP has expressed support for the UCC while also emphasising the importance of consultation.

TDP parliamentary party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu said the party would support the proposal but would examine the details and involve stakeholders before taking a final approach.

“We will be supporting it. As of now, there is no discussion. But whenever we find the need for it, we will be looking into it. We will definitely involve various stakeholders before we adopt it,” he said.

A TDP leader also described the UCC as necessary in a country with multiple religions and cultures.

The party’s present position represents a change from its stance before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. At that time, TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had said that on the issue of a UCC, his party would stand with the Muslim community.

• Shiv Sena, HAM Extend Strong Support
• Shiv Sena has backed Shah’s announcement more firmly.

Party leader Shrikant Shinde said the UCC was based on the principles of equality, justice and national unity, while also describing it as a long-standing ideological position of the party’s founder, Balasaheb Thackeray.

He said the party would stand with the government in fulfilling its commitments and asserted that Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde remained committed to implementing the UCC.

Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) national president Santosh Kumar Suman also welcomed Shah’s announcement and extended his party’s support to the proposed code.

What Did Amit Shah Say?

Shah announced on Sunday that BJP-led NDA governments would work towards implementing the UCC in all 21 states under their rule before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Shah cited the abolition of triple talaq and the introduction of UCC-related laws in several states as part of the government’s efforts towards legal uniformity.

“I am confident that in the 21 BJP-NDA ruled states, we will introduce UCC before 2029,” Shah said.

The BJP has so far pursued a state-wise approach to the UCC rather than introducing a single nationwide law.

Uttarakhand has already implemented a UCC, while Gujarat, Assam and Madhya Pradesh have also taken legislative steps towards introducing or advancing UCC-related provisions.

The differing responses from NDA allies indicate that while there is support for the broader idea of a UCC within the coalition, questions over its scope, implementation and impact on India’s diverse communities could lead to further discussions before the proposal is taken forward in individual states.