JDU Senior Leader KC Tyagi on Thursday said that his party had offered unconditional support to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led NDA but wanted the shortcomings in the ‘Agnipath’ scheme to the discussed in detail.
“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,” he said
The Agnipath Scheme within the Indian Armed Forces entails the selection of candidates to serve as Agniveers for a four-year term. Following organizational needs and Armed Forces regulations, Agniveers completing their term may apply for permanent cadre enrollment. Up to 25% of Agniveers may be chosen for regular Armed Forces enrollment.
Additionally, JDU spokesperson KC Tyagi addressed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), a BJP election pledge. He indicated that while the JDU doesn’t oppose the UCC, it should undergo stakeholder discussions.
“We are not against the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), but we reckon that it should be discussed with all the stakeholders including the states, Chief Ministers and political parties”, he said. The JDU leader also advocated for a caste census saying that PM Narendra Modi was not opposed to it.
Tyagi stated, “A caste census is being demanded by all. Bihar has paved the way for it. Even the Prime Minister did not oppose the caste census, so we will pursue it.”
KC Tyagi also spoke on special status for Bihar, which has been a demand of the party and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
“There is no pre-condition. There is unconditional support. But Bihar should be given a special status. That is something which we have in our heart… ” said KC Tyagi.
As per the results announced by the Election Commission of India on Tuesday, the BJP won 240 seats and along with its allies, it stands at 293 seats. Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP and Nitish Kumar’s JDU, having won 16 and 12 seats respectively in their respective states, have extended support to the NDA. The INDIA bloc has 234 MPs in the new parliament with the Congress having won 99 seats.