SNCN ACHARYULU
Hyderabad
Ahead of the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections will the proposal of the BJP-led Centre to introduce a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) create problems for Telugu Chief Ministers? The stand that the Telugu Chief Ministers are going to take is creating interest in political circles.
The decision on UCC is going to affect Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao more than Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, according to political observers as the Muslims of Telangana are more sensitive than AP’s Muslims.
The BJP which banks on Hindutva is serious about introducing the UCC before the Lok Sabha elections. The recent speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bhopal at a meeting of BJP workers indicates this.
The Muslim vote bank has more clout in Telangana than in Andhra Pradesh.
There are around 25 Assembly constituencies in Telangana where the prospects of political parties depend on Muslims.
All these days AIMIM which depends on Muslims have been friendly with the BRS. Recently the MIM changed its tone regarding the BRS and is likely to get close to the Congress.
In Telangana, the main adversary of the BRS is the Congress which is strongly opposing the UCC. If the BRS supports UCC Muslim voters will dump it in the coming Assembly and Lok Sabha elections.
If the BRS opposes the UCC the BJP will play the Hindutva card against the BRS. Keeping in mind the sensitivity of the issue the BRS has reportedly taken a decision to remain neutral and to take a decision when the Bill comes for voting in Parliament. The decision of the Congress on the UCC has become a big problem for the BRS.
In Andhra Pradesh, for Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy the UCC is a lesser problem compared to his Telangana counterpart. In Andhra Pradesh, the Muslims are not as hostile to Hindus compared to Telangana. However, the UCC is a religious issue in AP also and Muslims will oppose it.
As an indirect supporter of the Centre the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister may support the UCC. The support of Jagan is crucial for the BJP in the Rajya Sabha to pass the Bill.
Across the nation, political parties have decided their stand on the UCC. The AIMIM continuing its support for the BRS depends on the latter’s decision on the UCC. There are already differences between the AIMIM and the BRS. If the BRS decides to support the UCC the AIMIM may dump the BRS.
