The Nitish Kumar-led JDU has called for a review of the controversial Agniveer scheme, which it believes had an adverse impact on the 2024 Lok Sabha election results. KC Tyagi, JDU chief spokesperson, has said there is resentment against the Agniveer scheme in several states.
Sources reveal that the JDU has expressed concerns about the scheme, stating that “there was a lot of opposition regarding the Agniveer scheme, and its impact was seen in the elections as well. There is a need to reconsider it.”
As a crucial ally of the NDA government at a time when the BJP has failed to secure a clear majority, the JDU’s stance on key policies holds substantial weight. While the party has voiced no objections to the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), it advocates for dialogues with all stakeholders regarding its implementation.
The Agniveer scheme, introduced in June 2022, outlined a recruitment process wherein youth were enlisted for four years, with 25% retained and the remainder released. This clause has sparked discontent among army aspirants and drawn criticism from the defense community as well. Critics argue that the scheme not only compromises the forces’ warfighting capabilities but also presents an unfair arrangement for soldiers compared to other government employees.
Former army chief General VK Singh last month suggested the possibility of amendments to the Agniveer scheme following the completion of the first batch’s four-year service term. General Singh, serving from March 2010 to May 2012, said in a podcast, “From the feedback I have received, especially from the infantry (as our regiment also had many such recruits), the children are very motivated and enthusiastic, and everyone is pleased with them. There’s still time before the four-year term is completed, so I believe there will be some changes.”
The Agniveer scheme became a contentious issue during political campaigns, with Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, vehemently opposing it. Gandhi alleged that the scheme was imposed to reduce pension costs and vowed to revoke it if the Congress assumed power. The Congress manifesto echoed this sentiment, pledging to scrap the Agniveer scheme and revert to the previous recruitment system of 16 years of service for soldiers.
Political analysts attribute the public’s dissatisfaction with the Agniveer scheme as a significant factor favouring Congress candidates and working against the BJP in the elections.
