NDA allies divided over UCC push as TDP backs Shah line, JD(U) opposes Bihar rollout

Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s call to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in all 21 BJP-NDA ruled states before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections has exposed differences among key allies, with the TDP in Andhra Pradesh backing the Centre’s position while the JD(U) has opposed its implementation in Bihar.

TDP state president P Srinivasa Rao said Andhra Pradesh, as an NDA partner, would abide by Shah’s statement. He said the party believed the UCC would strengthen national unity and address concerns of gender inequality.

“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, who represents Gajuwaka Assembly constituency, told PTI Videos.

In Bihar, however, JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak said the party would not allow the UCC to be implemented in the state, despite having supported the UCC Bill in Parliament. He said former Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar had made the party’s position clear earlier.

JD(U) working president Sanjay Jha, meanwhile, said party leaders would meet Shah to discuss the issue. The party’s state leadership has also maintained that its position remains that no community should be hurt and that wider consultation is necessary.

Other NDA allies have also adopted varying positions. LJP (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan has called for the draft to be made public and wider consultation before taking a stand, while HAM(S) has extended full support to Shah’s announcement.

The CPI(M) in Andhra Pradesh opposed the proposed UCC, with state secretary V Srinivas Rao accusing the BJP of using the issue for communal politics and to divert attention from unemployment and other concerns.

He argued for an “equality civil code” focused on protecting women’s rights across religions and said India's diverse customs and personal laws needed to be considered.

Shah had said the UCC would be implemented across the 21 BJP-NDA ruled states before 2029. Uttarakhand, Gujarat and Assam have already brought UCC laws into force, while other states are considering the measure.