Two key NDA allies, the Telugu Desam Party and Shiv Sena, have backed Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement that the Uniform Civil Code will be introduced in all NDA ruled states before 2029.
The Janata Dal (United), another important ally of the BJP led government, has adopted a more cautious position and said it will study the proposed legislation before taking a final stand.
The responses came after Shah said on September 13 that the UCC would be introduced in all BJP and NDA ruled states by 2029.
The TDP has 16 Lok Sabha MPs, while Shiv Sena has 13 and the JD(U) has 12.
TDP Supports Shah’s Statement
TDP Andhra Pradesh president P Srinivasa Rao said the party would follow the Union Home Minister’s position as an NDA partner.
“Yes, I have seen our Union Home Minister’s statement on UCC and as NDA partners we are bound to go by his statement,” Rao told reporters in Amaravati.
He acknowledged concerns that the UCC could affect religious freedom but said the proposed law would strengthen national unity.
“Our country is culturally diverse. But we always think that this UCC will strengthen and unify the country,” he said.
Rao also said he did not believe the proposed law would create significant gender bias.
The TDP is part of the government in Andhra Pradesh along with the BJP and Jana Sena Party.
JD(U) Says It Will Examine the Bill
Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said the JD(U) would not oppose the UCC without examining its provisions.
“As of now, we are not aware of the details of the legislation on UCC. Let it be placed before us. If we find there is nothing objectionable, why shall we oppose it without any reason?” Chaudhary said.
He added that any concerns would be conveyed to the Union Home Minister.
Chaudhary also said there was no need to rush the process and noted that JD(U) national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha would discuss the issue with Shah.
His remarks came a day after senior JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak opposed the implementation of the UCC in Bihar, citing an earlier position attributed to party leader Nitish Kumar.
The BJP and JD(U) share power in Bihar.
Shiv Sena Backs Common Law Proposal
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena president Eknath Shinde also supported Shah’s position.
Shinde said Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray had supported the idea of one common law for the country.
“Balasaheb Thackeray’s vision was ‘one country, one law’ with equal justice for all. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also stated the same position on UCC,” Shinde said.
He added that the Maharashtra government was positive about the UCC and would take a final decision at an appropriate time.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the state would implement the UCC after a committee preparing the draft legislation submits its report.
Opposition Leaders Question the Move
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah questioned why the BJP was pursuing the UCC through individual states instead of introducing it in Parliament.
“If you have the numbers, bring it to Parliament. Why are you doing it through different states?” Abdullah said.
He also claimed that some NDA allies had reservations about the proposal.
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi urged NDA parties that disagreed with the BJP’s ideology to oppose the UCC.
Owaisi alleged that the proposed law could weaken constitutional protections for religious minorities, including those under Articles 25, 26 and 29.
