The West Bengal Assembly is set to take up four bills on Monday, 29 June, including the Backward Classes Commission Amendment Bill and the OBC Reservation Amendment Bill, along with two other measures targeting corruption and public order in the state. The session comes amid swirling speculation over whether a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) bill for West Bengal will also be introduced.

Bills on Monday's Agenda

According to the Assembly Secretariat, the official business schedule for Monday lists four bills — the Backward Classes Commission Amendment, the OBC Reservation Amendment, and two bills related to preventing corruption and rowdy activities. Notably, the UCC Bill does not appear anywhere on the formal agenda, even as political buzz around it has intensified within BJP ranks.

UCC Uncertainty: What Sources Say

Two possibilities are reportedly being discussed within the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): tabling the UCC Bill directly on Monday, or having Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announce the formation of a committee — headed by a retired Supreme Court judge — to finalise the bill's blueprint. Sources aware of the development indicate the second option is more likely. Retired Supreme Court Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai is reportedly being considered to lead such a committee, though no official confirmation has been issued by either the Assembly authorities or the BJP.

How the Speculation Began

The uncertainty traces back to Thursday, 25 June, when Chief Minister Adhikari arrived at the Assembly and publicly advocated for the Uniform Civil Code during his address in the first half of the session. He repeated the same position at a party programme later that evening. His remarks prompted the BJP's legislative party to begin internal preparations, including setting aside an hour for discussion on the UCC Bill and designating the Chief Minister as the primary speaker in its favour — with additional BJP speakers potentially to be added.

Disconnect Between Party Prep and Official Schedule

Despite the BJP legislative party's preparations, no formal communication from the ruling camp's parliamentary party team has clarified whether the UCC Bill will be presented on Monday. The absence of the bill from the official schedule has created a visible disconnect between party-level activity and the Assembly's stated agenda, leaving legislators and observers uncertain about the government's immediate intentions.

What to Watch

The session's proceedings will be closely tracked, particularly any announcement by Chief Minister Adhikari regarding the UCC committee. If a retired judge is formally approached to head the panel, it would signal that the government is moving toward a structured legislative process rather than a floor introduction. How the four confirmed bills — especially the OBC Reservation Amendment — are received will also shape the session's political temperature.