Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Uniform Civil Code (UCC) drafting committee member in West Bengal, Tathagata Roy, on Sunday declared the proposed legislation 'as necessary as the Constitution itself,' citing Article 44 of the Constitution as the foundational mandate for its implementation. Roy, a former Governor of Tripura, also levelled sharp allegations against the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, accusing it of favouring Muslims to consolidate electoral support.

Roy's Case for the UCC

Speaking at an interaction in Kolkata, Roy invoked the Directive Principles of State Policy to justify the UCC's urgency. 'When our Constitution was implemented and prepared, Article 44 itself states that the state shall endeavour to implement the Uniform Civil Code. So, how can the question arise now about how necessary the UCC is? It is as necessary as the Constitution itself,' he said.

Roy expressed gratitude for his inclusion in the West Bengal UCC drafting panel, clarifying that the appointment came at the initiative of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. 'I did not ask anyone to include me in the committee. The Chief Minister felt it was appropriate and included my name, and I am grateful for that,' he stated.

Allegations Against the Previous TMC Government

Roy launched a pointed critique of the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC administration, alleging that it prioritised vote-bank politics over governance. 'The previous state government spread confusion and misconceptions. Trinamool Congress had no ideology or principles. Their only aim was to remain in power by any means and, during this period, extract as much money as possible, from people's pockets and from the government Treasury and fill their own pockets,' he alleged.

He further claimed that the TMC's primary electoral strategy centred on securing Muslim votes, alleging that the party extended disproportionate benefits to the community. 'Even in the OBC list made by the Trinamool government, I think 80-85 names were that of the Muslims,' Roy alleged. He added that the party 'turned into Muslims, setting aside the Hindu religion' — a claim that reflects his political characterisation of the TMC's governance approach.

On the BJP Government's Early Performance

When asked to assess the BJP government's record since coming to power, Roy urged patience, stating that two months was insufficient for a fair evaluation. 'At least one year should be given for that,' he said, while expressing approval of the administration's early conduct.

Roy highlighted what he described as a shift from 'rule by the ruler' to 'rule of law' under Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, citing the arrest of accused individuals in the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in Baruipur as evidence. 'Majority of the accused in the Baruipur case are Hindus but they were arrested,' he noted, asserting that the government was not discriminating on the basis of religion in criminal cases.

TMC Leaders Under Scrutiny

Roy also pointed to ongoing legal action against former TMC leaders, saying the scale of alleged irregularities committed during their tenure was now being exposed. 'The law will take its own course,' he added. This comes amid a broader political transition in West Bengal, where the BJP's victory — reportedly achieved with a near-92 per cent voter turnout — has set the stage for a sharp change in governance priorities, including the push for a state-level UCC framework.