Shah's UCC Pledge Draws Sharp Reactions From Opposition Leaders

New Delhi, October 31: Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remark that the Uniform Civil Code would be introduced if the BJP returns to power in Uttar Pradesh has drawn sharp reactions from opposition leaders. Congress and JMM leaders have accused the BJP of making promises that the public no longer believes.

In Patna, Congress veteran Subodh Kant Sahay ridiculed the statement and said the BJP's credibility had weakened. Referring to the party's claim of crossing 400 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, he said the party had not even reached a majority. “What these people say is not of much importance,” he added.

In Ranchi, Congress leader Rakesh Sinha reacted with equal force. He asserted that the BJP would not win government formation in any state going forward and said the people of Uttar Pradesh were taking the matter seriously.

“The people of Uttar Pradesh are alert. They are not going to give power to a party that has been accused of stealing offerings and stealing votes,” Sinha said. “The people will not be misled on any matter, and the BJP will not form the government.”

Sinha further demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, claiming that the BJP could not form a government in Uttar Pradesh under any circumstances if Kumar departed.

Meanwhile, JMM leader Manoj Pandey, also speaking from Ranchi, called Shah's UCC statement nonsensical and said it did not merit a response.

“They have been in government for ten years and now they say that if they return they will do this and that. Why do they make such baseless claims? The public listens and laughs,” Pandey said. “They use the same language in other places as well.”

Pandey asked why the measure had not been taken earlier. “If you have the strength, do it now. The government is yours, it is a double and triple engine government. These people are liars who only deal in slogans.”