Overview
- Campaigning in Nalbari and Dhekiajuli, Shah, who made the pledge on Sunday, said a BJP government would introduce a Uniform Civil Code in Assam and outlaw polygamy.
- A Uniform Civil Code would replace religion-based personal laws on marriage, divorce, inheritance and adoption with one set of rules for all citizens.
- Shah tied the pledge to Assam’s polygamy law passed last year, which criminalises multiple marriages with prison terms reported as up to seven years in some coverage and up to ten in others, with exemptions for Scheduled Tribe areas under the Sixth Schedule.
- He also vowed to identify, strike from voter rolls and deport people he called illegal immigrants, and he claimed the state has reclaimed about 1.25 lakh acres from encroachment.
- Shah highlighted investment plans, including a semiconductor unit and projects he valued at about Rs 4.5 lakh crore, and he reminded voters that polling is on April 9 with counting on May 4.