In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly declared his government’s intentions to implement a secular civil code in the form of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and establish One Nation One Election (ONOE). These initiatives are integral to his vision of transforming India into a ‘Viksit Bharat’ by the time it celebrates centenary of independence in 2047. This bold declaration has stirred the political landscape, particularly among the Opposition, which view it as a potential flashpoint within the ruling coalition. The Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) with its 21 (TDP 17 and PRP 4) Lok Sabha MPs, is a key ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, had also committed to providing reservations for Muslims Andhra Pradesh in its election manifesto. This has led to speculation that the TDP might clash with the BJP over sensitive issues like UCC and ONOE. The Opposition’s Lalu Prasad Yadav—who is entangled in multiple corruption cases—has gone so far as to predict that the Modi government might not survive the month. He believes that if the TDP withdraws its support, it could destabilize the NDA. Despite the speculation, the TDP has shown unwavering support to the government. In a late night debate on Arnab Goswami’s Republic TV news channel, a TDP spokesperson reiterated that their alliance with the BJP is intended to last for 15 years, not just a temporary arrangement. This statement has effectively dashed the Opposition’s hopes that the party might abandon the NDA, which remains securely in power even without TDP’s support, thanks to the backing of parties like Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena Party. Adding to the complexity, Bihar’s Nitish Kumar of Janata Dal (United), another NDA ally with a history of unpredictability, early this week announced plans to develop multipurpose infrastructure on Wakf Board lands in his state. This move came shortly after the Central government’s introduction of Waqf Act amendment last week in the Lok Sabha while agreeing to the Opposition’s demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). This strategic move by the government appears to be a calculated effort to secure minority votes in the upcoming state elections. By referring the Waqf Act to a JPC, which includes not only representatives from various parties but also those with a fundamentalist outlook, the NDA has portrayed itself as accommodating and inclusive. The introduction of the Waqf Act has also highlighted a division among Muslims, with some recognizing the need for reform in the Waqf Boards, which have often been controlled by a few individuals, leading to injustices against poorer Muslims. This division could play into the NDA’s hands in future elections, weakening the Opposition’s base. Moreover, the Modi government’s commitment to implementing the UCC and ONOE has garnered attention. The UCC, in particular, has been a longstanding issue, with the Supreme Court also pressing the government to take action. Similarly, the proposal for ONOE, which has involved extensive consultations with stakeholders, represents another significant electoral reform. During the debate TDP spokesperson also confirmed that the party supports the ONOE initiative, despite acknowledging that it may disadvantage regional parties. This admission suggests that the TDP is willing to overlook potential drawbacks for consolidating its political position in Andhra Pradesh and keeping rivals like Jaganmohan Reddy’s Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party at bay. Given this backdrop, it appears increasingly certain that neither Naidu nor Nitish will desert the NDA before the 2029 general elections. Despite Opposition’s predictions, the Modi government seems poised to continue its tenure, bolstered by the steadfast support of its allies.
TDP and Oppn Prophecy
