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The Congress party has taken a firm stance against the Indian government's Agnipath scheme, a short-service commission plan for the armed forces, ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Haryana. The party has vowed to stop the scheme, alleging it is unfair to recruits and poses a threat to national security.
The Congress's opposition to Agnipath stems from concerns about the scheme's impact on the future of Agniveers, the recruits who serve for four years under the program. The party criticizes the scheme's provision for retaining only 25% of Agniveers after their four-year term, arguing that this leaves the majority facing an uncertain future with limited employment opportunities. The Congress further argues that the scheme undermines the traditional structure of the armed forces and compromises the security of the nation.
Reports suggest that the government may consider increasing the number of Agniveers retained to 50% after their service, along with potential salary hikes. However, the Congress maintains that these proposed changes are insufficient to address the fundamental flaws of the scheme. The party has also highlighted concerns about the lack of pensions for Agniveers, arguing that this deprives soldiers and their families of financial security and respect.
The Agnipath scheme has become a significant issue in the Haryana assembly elections, with the Congress actively campaigning against it. The party has been vocal in its opposition since the scheme's inception, using it as a key election strategy in previous elections in Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. The debate over Agnipath has intensified in recent weeks, with public statements and debates between government ministers and opposition leaders, including a heated exchange between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the budget session in July.
The Congress's stance against Agnipath is likely to resonate with a significant section of the electorate in Haryana, particularly young voters who see the scheme as a detriment to their future prospects. The party hopes to capitalize on the public discontent surrounding Agnipath to gain political traction in the upcoming elections. The elections will be a test for the Congress's ability to mobilize voters around this issue and challenge the ruling party's position on the Agnipath scheme.
Source: "If They Don't, We'll Stop It": Congress On Agnipath Ahead Of Haryana Polls