On Shah's UCC claim, 3 BJP allies sound caution - The Times of India

**Bihar, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh –** After Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent declaration that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would soon be rolled out nationwide, three senior leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) warned that a rushed implementation could destabilise the coalition’s delicate regional balance. Nitish Kumar, chief minister of Bihar and head of the Janata Dal (United), said the “social fabric of the state” must be respected and urged the centre to “consult all stakeholders before taking any irreversible step.” In Maharashtra, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde echoed the sentiment, noting that while his party supports the idea of a common civil law, “the timing and the process must be clear, lest we alienate millions who still trust personal law traditions.” Uttar Pradesh’s Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Chaudhary Ajit Singh added that the NDA’s strength lies in the autonomy of its partners and that any unilateral move could “fracture the trust that has held this alliance together for over a decade.”

The cautionary statements come amid a widening rift within the NDA over the UCC’s practical rollout, especially in states where personal law is deeply entrenched. In Bihar, the coalition government has already faced friction with the opposition over the code’s compatibility with the state’s sizeable Muslim and Dalit populations. Maharashtra’s chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, a senior BJP figure, has said the state will wait for the Supreme Court‑appointed panel’s report before moving ahead, signalling a more measured approach. Meanwhile, opposition parties—including the National Congress and the All‑India Majlis‑e‑Ittehadul‑Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi—have seized on Shah’s remarks to accuse the centre of imposing a “majoritarian agenda,” calling for a robust parliamentary debate.

Political analysts warn that the UCC debate could become the next litmus test for the NDA’s internal cohesion ahead of the 2029 general elections. While the BJP continues to champion the code as a cornerstone of its vision for a “uniform” India, its regional allies are signalling that any policy perceived as undermining local customs could cost the alliance valuable vote banks. The coming weeks, particularly the release of the Supreme Court panel’s findings, will likely determine whether the UCC remains a rallying point for the BJP or a source of further dissent among its partners.