TDP, Shiv Sena and HAM have backed Amit Shah’s UCC proposal, while JD(U) says the common civil code will not be implemented in Bihar.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement that the Uniform Civil Code will be introduced in all 21 BJP-led NDA states before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections has received mixed reactions from the ruling coalition’s regional partners.
While the Telugu Desam Party, Shiv Sena and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) have supported the proposal, the Janata Dal (United) has said it will not permit the UCC to be implemented in Bihar.
The contrasting positions underline the political and social challenges the BJP may face while attempting to expand the UCC through state-level legislation.
What Amit Shah Announced
Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Shah expressed confidence that all 21 states governed by the BJP or its NDA partners would introduce the Uniform Civil Code before the next general election.
A UCC seeks to create a common set of civil laws governing personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption, replacing separate rules based on religion.
Shah referred to the abolition of triple talaq and said the government remained committed to securing equal rights. The BJP has so far pursued UCC implementation primarily through individual states instead of introducing a single nationwide law.
TDP Supports UCC With Consultations
The Telugu Desam Party, whose parliamentary strength is important to the BJP-led coalition, has supported the proposal but stressed the need to consult affected communities.
TDP parliamentary leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu said the party would support the measure and involve different stakeholders before adopting it.
The position indicates a shift from the party’s earlier cautious approach. Before joining the NDA after the 2024 Lok Sabha election, TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had said his party would stand with the Muslim community on the UCC issue, according to The Indian Express.
Shiv Sena and HAM Back Shah’s Call
Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde offered firm support, describing the UCC as consistent with the principles of equality, justice and national unity. He said implementing it had also been a long-standing ideological position of Shiv Sena founder Balasaheb Thackeray.
Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) president Santosh Kumar Suman also welcomed Shah’s announcement and extended his party’s support.
JD(U) Rules Out UCC in Bihar
JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak said the party supported the UCC proposal at the national level but remained opposed to its implementation in Bihar.
Rajak said the party was standing by the position previously taken by Nitish Kumar, who had called for broad consultation and consensus before introducing a common civil code.
JD(U) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha said the party would discuss the matter with Shah. The party’s opposition is politically significant because the government in Bihar depends on the support of NDA partners.
The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has also adopted a cautious position. Party leader Chirag Paswan called for a draft to be made public and for consultations to be held before the party announces its final decision, Moneycontrol reported.
The differences do not necessarily signal a wider break within the NDA, but they show that implementing the UCC across every alliance-ruled state may require extensive negotiations with regional parties and community representatives.
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