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Uniform Civil Code: Will AP Chief Minister Jagan offer BJP ‘the force of nine’ in the Rajya Sabha?

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BySouth First Desk

Published Jul 06, 2023 | 2:03 PM ⚊UpdatedJul 06, 2023 | 2:03 PM

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi lasted 90 minutes on Wednesday. (PMO/Twitter)

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy holds the power of nine — plus 22.

Jagan’s YSRCP is a force the BJP cannot totally ignore, since the regional party has 22 members in the Lok Sabha and nine others in the Rajya Sabha. The Andhra Pradesh chief minister’s power of nine is crucial for the BJP to pass contentious Bills in the Upper House.

The BJP now needs to coalesce all forces in its favour since it has plans to table the ever-contentious Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in Parliament during the upcoming monsoon session. The YSRCP, on its part, has supported the BJP in passing Bills, barring a few.

Jagan is now under a constant gaze since he has not revealed his hand on the vexed UCC issue. He met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah separately in New Delhi on Wednesday, 5 July. The meeting with Modi lasted 90 minutes.

It has been learnt that Modi sought Jagan’s support in passing the UCC and a Bill to replace the Union government’s ordinance on Delhi.

Also read: Day after Shah attacks AP government, Jagan soft on BJP

Jagan now has the bargaining power. Several issues related to Andhra Pradesh are stuck pending a favourable decision by the Union government. The issues include the release of resource gap funds, Polavaram project funds, special category status, and permission to borrow more to fund his welfare schemes.

Incidentally, Wednesday’s meeting was Jagan’s first with the BJP seniors after Shah gave an audience to TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu last month. Naidu’s meeting with Shah sparked speculation that the BJP would not be averse to a tie-up with its former ally, the TDP.

However, it is not known if Jagan sought an appointment with Modi-Shah or he was summoned. It also remains to be seen if the YSRCP chief will bless the BJP with the force of nine in the Rajya Sabha.

Jagan also met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday.