Maharashtra's UCC implementation to be decided after discussions, says Maharashtra DCM Eknath Shinde
Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has stated that the decision on implementing a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state will be taken after discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Responding to a question on whether Maharashtra would follow Uttarakhand and Gujarat in adopting the UCC, Shinde said, "Our CM Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, and I will sit together to discuss this and make a decision," ANI reported.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat government has formed a five-member committee to assess the need for a UCC and draft a bill. Headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Ranjana Desai, the panel will submit its report within 45 days. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated that religious leaders, including those from the Muslim community, would be consulted before finalising the report.
The committee includes retired IAS officer C.L. Meena, advocate R.C. Kodekar, former vice-chancellor of Veer Narmad South Gujarat University Dakshesh Thakar, and social worker Gita Shroff. Patel emphasised that the initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a nationwide UCC, while Gujarat’s Minister of State for Home, Harsh Sanghavi, assured that the UCC would protect tribal rights.
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Annamalai left out of BJP’s candidate list for Tamil Nadu polls, party cites High Command decision
Chennai/New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its list of 27 candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, triggering political discussion after the absence of former state president K Annamalai from the roster.
Despite being widely seen as the party’s most prominent face in the state and a key figure in its southern expansion strategy, Annamalai was not fielded in the list. Senior leaders, including Tamilisai Soundararajan from Mylapore, Vanathi Srinivasan from Coimbatore North, and Union Minister L. Murugan from Avinashi, have been nominated.
Responding to questions on the omission, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran said the decision was taken by the party’s central leadership. He expressed confidence that all 27 candidates would emerge victorious in the polls.
Annamalai, a former IPS officer who joined the BJP in 2020 and rapidly rose to prominence, had earlier been replaced as state chief by Nagendran. Known for his aggressive political style and grassroots outreach, he has been instrumental in amplifying the party’s presence in Tamil Nadu, a state traditionally dominated by Dravidian parties.
In a message posted on X, Annamalai congratulated the candidates and reaffirmed his commitment to the party. He said he would campaign actively for BJP and NDA nominees, expressing confidence in the alliance securing a decisive mandate. He also criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government, calling it ineffective and self-serving.
The BJP is contesting the elections as part of the National Democratic Alliance led by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Seat-sharing arrangements allocate 169 constituencies to the AIADMK, 27 to the BJP, 18 to the Pattali Makkal Katchi, 11 to the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, five to the Tamil Maanila Congress, and one seat each to the Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi and Puratchi Bharatham.
Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23 across all 234 constituencies, with counting scheduled for May 4. The primary contest is expected between the DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK-led NDA, although actor-turned-politician Vijay is also positioning himself as a potential challenger, raising the possibility of a multi-cornered contest.
#WATCH | Chennai | Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran says, "A list of 27 candidates has been released by the BJP High Command... All the 27 candidates will surely win this time..."
— ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2026
On Annamalai's name not appearing in the recently released list, he says, "This is a… https://t.co/pDd0HodSAW pic.twitter.com/29gkGK9AaP
