Agniveer scheme: NDA ally JD(U) seeks removal of problems in defence program

As the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) chalks out its plan for government formation, Nitish Kumar-led JD(U), a key party of the bloc has raised its voice against Agniveer scheme.

"A section of voters has been upset over the Agniveer scheme. Our party wants those shortcomings which have been questioned by the public to be discussed in detail and removed," said JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi.

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In reply to demand of JD(U) on the scheme, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary said, "...Rajnath Singh ji had given a statement on this and had stated about review (if needed)..."

Rolled out in June 2022, the government's defence program is short-term induction of personnel with an aim to bring down the age profile of the three services. The scheme provides for recruiting youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years and 21 for four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.

The opposition has been openly criticising the defence scheme of the Centre since the beginning with many including scraping of Agniveer in their poll pitch.


Caste census, UCC to pose threat to NDA?
Back in 2023, Nitish Kumar's party had released caste survey data which showed that Other Backward Caste (OBC) and Extremely Backward Class (EBC) together account for 63 per cent of Bihar's population.

Commenting on caste census, party spokesperson Tyagi said "No party in the country has said no to caste-based census. Bihar has shown the path. PM too didn't oppose it in all-party delegation. Caste-based census is the call of the hour. We will pursue it. There is no pre-condition. There is unconditional support. But Bihar be given the special status is something which we have in our heart..."

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Additionally, Uniform Civil Code is another problem for the mega alliance. "On UCC, as the national president of the party, CM had written to the Law Commission chief. We are not against it but a solution should be found by talking to all stakeholders," added the spokesperson.

JD(U), TDP show support to Modi:
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) headed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday unanimously elected Narendra Modi as the grouping’s leader, paving the way for his return as Prime Minister of India for a historic third term in a row.

NDA leaders including TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar met at the Narendra Modi's official residence here a day after the NDA won a majority of seats in the Lok Sabha election.

Naidu, who’s set to become Andhra Pradesh chief minister, and Kumar are the BJP’s most important allies as their parties won a crucial number of seats that ensure the NDA’s majority in the Lok Sabha. As per the results announced by the Election Commission of India on Tuesday, the BJP won 240 seats and the Congress 99 seats. BJP had won 303 seats in the 2019 general elections and 282 seats in the 2014 general elections.

(with agency inputs)