Uniform Civil Code’s fate in limbo as BJP allies TDP, JD(U) not in favour
NEW DELHI : The Bharatiya Janata Party might have to abandon its plan to introduce a Uniform Civil Code nationwide, given the compulsions of coalition politics with some of its main allies likely against the legislation. According to two people familiar with the post-election developments, the Telugu Desam Party and the Janata Dal (United), key members of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, are against introducing a Uniform Civil Code.
The BJP’s proposed legislation aims to replace India’s personal laws that are based on religions, customs, and traditions with one common law for everyone, irrespective of such differentiations, making the UCC a political hot potato. The party’s narrower electoral victory in the just-concluded Lok Sabha election makes it reliant on its allies more than earlier, even as BJP chief Narendra Modi is set to become India’s prime minister for a third consecutive term.
Also read | The challenges of coalition politics and India's foreign policy The JD(U) does not favour any bill or legislation that may not align with sovereign principles, said a senior party leader, asking to remain anonymous due to potential risk to his ministerial candidacy in the next Union government. The Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, which permits Indian citizenship for certain persecuted religious minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, may also not be implemented in several states, the JD(U) leader said.
“We have just entered into the alliance for government-formation. So let things settle down first," this politician said.
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