Archive · 15 Sep 2026
NDA Allies Split Over Amit Shah’s Uniform Civil Code Push
Amit Shah said the government wants a Uniform Civil Code in all 21 states governed by the BJP-led alliance before the 2029 national election.
A Uniform Civil Code would create common personal rules for matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption.
The Telugu Desam Party, Shiv Sena and Hindustani Awam Morcha support the idea.
The Telugu Desam Party also says people affected by the law should be consulted.
The Janata Dal (United) supports the idea nationally but says Bihar should not use it.
Lok Janshakti Party wants to see the draft and study its effects before deciding.
The BJP in West Bengal supports moving ahead quickly.
Its ally, the Nationalist Citizens Party of India, says the issue needs more discussion.
These differing views show that the alliance agrees on some parts of the proposal but not on its timing or application everywhere.
Amit Shah said the UCC would be introduced in all 21 BJP-NDA-ruled states before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
The TDP, Shiv Sena and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) backed the proposal, while the TDP also called for stakeholder consultation.
The JD(U) supports the UCC nationally but says it will not permit implementation in Bihar and plans to discuss the issue with BJP leadership.
Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) wants to review a draft and assess India’s diversity, constitutional protections and stakeholder interests before deciding.
West Bengal’s BJP unit backed quick implementation, while its ally NCPI called for deliberation; reports differ on whether the state has already passed a UCC Bill.
- Who
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and its partners, including the Telugu Desam Party, Shiv Sena, Janata Dal (United), Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) and Nationalist Citizens Party of India.
- What
- The NDA is pursuing a state-by-state introduction of a Uniform Civil Code in its 21 governed states before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
- When
- Amit Shah announced the plan on Sunday, with reactions reported on Monday; the stated target is before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
- Where
- The proposal concerns 21 NDA-ruled states, with specific disagreements over Bihar and West Bengal.
- Why
- Supporters describe the UCC as promoting equality, justice and national unity, while cautious allies cite India’s diversity, constitutional protections and the need for consultation.
Support and Statewise Implementation
Consultation and State Reservations
National policy
Support and Statewise Implementation
The BJP, TDP, Shiv Sena and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) support advancing the Uniform Civil Code as a measure linked to equality, justice and national unity.
Consultation and State Reservations
The Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Nationalist Citizens Party of India want to examine a draft, consult stakeholders and consider India’s diverse customs and constitutional protections first.
Bihar implementation
Support and Statewise Implementation
The Janata Dal (United) says it supports the UCC Bill at the national level.
Consultation and State Reservations
The Janata Dal (United) says Bihar will not implement the UCC and that the issue should be discussed with BJP leadership and approached through broader consensus.
West Bengal timeline
Support and Statewise Implementation
West Bengal’s BJP president said the state would initiate the process for passage and implementation as soon as possible.
Consultation and State Reservations
Nationalist Citizens Party of India said the issue requires substantial thinking and discussion before it takes a position; a separate report’s quick-answer section says West Bengal has passed a UCC Bill.
- Implementation target
- All 21 BJP-NDA-ruled states before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
- UCC scope
- Common personal laws concerning marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption, irrespective of religion.
- Supportive allies
- The Telugu Desam Party, Shiv Sena and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) backed the proposal.
- JD(U) position
- Supports the UCC nationally but says it will not allow implementation in Bihar.
- LJP (Ram Vilas) position
- Wants a draft made public and an assessment of stakeholder interests, diversity and the legal framework before deciding.
- West Bengal positions
- The BJP state unit supports moving ahead, while Nationalist Citizens Party of India seeks deliberation; one report says the state has passed a UCC Bill, while another describes implementation as a future process.
- Parliamentary strength cited
- The TDP has 16 Lok Sabha MPs, Shiv Sena 13, JD(U) 12, LJP (Ram Vilas) five and HAM (S) one.
