The Uniform Civil Code (UCC), which is high on the BJP’s political agenda, isn’t a priority for key National Democratic Alliance (NDA) allies Janata Dal (United) and Telugu Desam Party even as they have confirmed they aren’t against it.

After Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal recently said that the UCC is still on the party’s agenda, Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), the third largest constituent party of the NDA, emphasised the importance of reaching consensus before advancing any such proposal.

According to JD(U) national secretary KC Tyagi, the party does not oppose the UCC but believes that decisions of this magnitude should be based on consensus, as reported.

This stance by JD(U) is widely interpreted as a clear message to the BJP that important policy decisions like the UCC cannot be imposed unilaterally and must involve consultation with other NDA coalition partners.

The BJP had pledged to implement the UCC in its election manifesto. Minister of State (independent charge) for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal on Tuesday reaffirmed the BJP’s commitment to the UCC, stating, “It remains on our agenda. Dekhte jayein aage (keep watching).”

JD(U), which holds 12 MPs in parliament, has reminded the BJP of its consistent position since 2017, when Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar submitted his views on the UCC to the Law Commission.

“While the State must endeavour to bring in the UCC, such an effort, in order to be enduring and sustainable, must be based on a broad consensus… rather than be imposed by fiat from above,” Kumar had written in his 2017 letter to the Law Commission.

Kumar had also said in the letter that India was a “nation based on a delicate balance in respect of laws and governing principles for different religions and ethnic groups”.

He had warned that any attempt to impose UCC could lead to “social friction and erosion of faith in the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of religion”.

Earlier, leaders of the TDP also stressed the importance of discussion and consensus-building on issues like the UCC.

Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), which won all the five seats it contested in Bihar, is another ally advocating for dialogue and the importance of inclusive decision-making within the NDA.

“We are in an alliance and we will sit and discuss. This is an issue-based alliance. Everybody has their issues and their concerns. I have been concerned with ST [Scheduled Tribes], SC [Scheduled Castes], and weaker sections of society including the minorities. When I talk about minorities, I would add Muslims also. These are concerns…about policies… whether it is UCC, caste census, or Agniveer. These are issues that we should address when we sit across the table with our alliance. We will put forth our concerns,” he told Hindustan Times.