TDP, Shiv Sena back UCC push; JD(U) rules it out in Bihar

The brief

Context

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would be implemented in all 21 NDA-ruled states before the next Lok Sabha elections in 2029 — a route through state legislatures rather than Parliament. A day later, NDA allies staked out positions: the TDP, Shiv Sena and Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) backed the move, while the JD(U) said it supports the Bill nationally but will not allow implementation in Bihar. The BJP-led NDA depends on allies such as the TDP for its majority in Parliament, and several of these parties draw support from significant Muslim vote banks. Shah's remarks came three months after the BJP swept West Bengal, where the previous TMC government had strongly opposed the UCC.

Key facts

• Amit Shah said a UCC would be implemented in all 21 NDA-ruled states before the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.
• TDP's Lok Sabha leader Lavu Krishna Devarayalu: "We will be supporting it," adding stakeholders would be involved before adoption.
• JD(U) leader Shyam Rajak said on Monday the party backs the Bill nationally but will not let it be implemented in Bihar.
• JD(U) Rajya Sabha MP and national working president Sanjay Jha said the party will discuss the issue with the Home Minister.
• Party strength in Lok Sabha: TDP 16, Shiv Sena 13, JD(U) 12, LJP (RV) 5, HAM (S) 1; NCPI has 20 MPs.
• Rajya Sabha: TDP and JD(U) have four members each; Shiv Sena has two.
• 2011 Census, Andhra Pradesh: population 8,45,80,777 — Hindus 7,48,24,149 (over 88%), Muslims 80,82,412 (almost 10%).
• 2011 Census, West Bengal: population 9,12,76,115 — Hindus 6,43,85,546 (over 70%), Muslims 2,46,54,825 (a little over 27%).

Timeline

1. 2019 Lok Sabha electionBJP won 303 seats.
2. Before the 2024 Lok Sabha electionTDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu said that when it "comes to a UCC, the TDP will stand with the Muslim community".
3. 2024 Lok Sabha electionBJP's tally fell to 240 from 303; the TDP joined the NDA thereafter.
4. About three months before Shah's remarksBJP swept West Bengal Assembly elections; the previous TMC government had vehemently opposed the UCC.
5. One day before allies' reactionsAmit Shah announced UCC implementation in all 21 NDA-ruled states before 2029.
6. MondayJD(U)'s Shyam Rajak restated the Bihar exception; BJP Bengal president Shamik Bhattacharya said the state will start the process soon.

Who has a stake

• BJP / Union Home Minister Amit Shah — Driving UCC through 21 NDA-ruled state governments before 2029, fulfilling a long-standing party priority.
• TDP (16 LS MPs, 4 RS) — NDA depends on it for a parliamentary majority; it has a significant Muslim vote bank in Andhra Pradesh and has softened its earlier stand.
• JD(U) (12 LS MPs, 4 RS) — Supports the Bill nationally but rules out implementation in Bihar, where it has a sizeable Muslim vote bank; Nitish Kumar wants national consensus.
• Shiv Sena (13 LS MPs) and HAM (S) (1 LS MP) — Ideological backing; Shrikant Shinde cites Balasaheb Thackeray's position and Eknath Shinde's commitment; HAM's Santosh Kumar Suman welcomed Shah's statement.
• NCPI (20 LS MPs) and LJP (RV) (5 LS MPs) — Cautious; will decide after deliberation or once a blueprint/draft bill is presented.
• West Bengal government and voters — State BJP president says the process for passage and implementation will begin soon in a state where Muslims are over 27% of the population.

Why it matters

The UCC is being pursued through state legislatures rather than Parliament, making the stand of individual NDA state governments and allies decisive. With the TDP propping up the NDA's parliamentary majority and JD(U) drawing a red line for Bihar, the announcement tests coalition cohesion and the politics of minority representation ahead of 2029.