3 Key BJP Allies Sound Caution Over Amit Shah’s 2029 UCC Target; What's Their Stance

A day after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be implemented in all 21 states ruled by NDA by 2029, many supported the move. However, the three major allies, including the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), the Janata Dal United (JD-U) and the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), made a cautious approach about the issue.

Reaction from JD-U

Sanjay Jha, working president of the Janata Dal (United), a key BJP ally in Bihar, stated that he plans to meet Home Minister Amit Shah to discuss the implementation of the UCC. Following Shah's remarks, JD-U leader and former minister Shyam Rajak rejected the idea of introducing the UCC in Bihar, noting that while the party supported the Bill in Parliament, it never backed its implementation within the state.

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Former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had previously emphasised that a consensus should be reached on sensitive issues like the UCC by bringing all communities along.

LJP Chief Chirag Paswan's Stance

Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan expressed caution, highlighting that his party respects the nation's diversity and constitutional provisions for different communities and Scheduled Tribes. He stated that the draft of the UCC should be released to the public first, and his party will finalise its position only after consulting with all stakeholders.

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TDP's Response from Andhra Pradesh

Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, parliamentary party leader of Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), clarified that no formal discussions have taken place on the issue yet. He noted that comprehensive discussions with all stakeholders and various sections of society will occur before taking any further action.

Independent Positions of Key NDA Allies

Both TDP and JD-U have a history of taking independent stances on key ideological issues of the BJP despite being close allies.

Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that the Triple Talaq law provides equal rights to Indian Muslim women. He expressed confidence that the UCC, already implemented in Uttarakhand and passed in states like Gujarat, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh, will be rolled out across all 21 BJP-NDA ruled states ahead of the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.