Patna: Amid differences within the NDA over the proposed implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the RJD on Tuesday invited JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar to break ties with the BJP and form a new govt with its support.The invitation came a day after Union home minister Amit Shah said he was confident that the UCC would be implemented in all 21 NDA-ruled states before the 2029 Lok Sabha elections. The JD(U) has adopted a cautious approach, saying it will study the provisions of the proposed law before taking a final position.“We urge Nitish Kumar ji to walk out of the NDA and form a govt with our support,” RJD spokesperson Bhai Virendra told reporters here on Tuesday. He said the RJD would not allow implementation of the UCC in Bihar.Stating that India was a secular country where every individual had the right to practise their religion, Virendra said people from all religions had sacrificed their lives for the country’s freedom.Virendra , who is considered close to RJD chief Lalu Prasad, alleged that the BJP had raised the UCC issue to divert people’s attention from inflation, unemployment and rising crime. He also alleged that Nitish was surrounded by people who were “hellbent on ruining his political career”.JD(U), however, rejected the RJD’s offer. Deputy CM and minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said the party had nothing to do with the RJD’s appeal.“We don’t act on RJD’s suggestions and obviously have nothing to do with the its appeal,” Choudhary, considered close to Nitish, said in response to a media query.Choudhary said the provisions of the UCC had not yet been made public and the party would study them before taking a position. He referred to JD(U) national working president Sanjay Kumar Jha’s statement that he would meet Union home minister Amit Shah to discuss the matter.“The party will deliberate on it after studying the provisions. If any concern or difficulty emerges, the party will place its views before the Union home minister so that such issues can be addressed,” Choudhary said.His remarks came hours after JD(U) national general secretary and party MLA Shyam Rajak said the UCC would not be implemented in Bihar at any cost. Party national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad, meanwhile, said Jha would discuss the issue with the Union home minister.“If there is nothing contentious in the bill, why would there be opposition without cause?” Choudhary said.JD(U) has formed govts with RJD support twice in Bihar. First in 2015 and again from Aug 2022 before Nitish broke ties with the RJD-led Grand Alliance on both occasions and returned to the NDA.
