Union Home Minister Amit Shah hit out at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for "playing politics" over the Agnipath scheme and said that is the BJP's responsibility to ensure jobs for Agniveers from Haryana, who are not retained after their four-year tenure in the armed forces under the short-term military recruitment plan.
Addressing a rally in Loharu in Bhiwani district of Haryana, which goes to the polls on October 5, Home Minister Shah accused the Congress of spreading fake narratives.
"They claimed that Agniveer soldiers would have neither work nor pensions. But I want to tell you that under the Agnipath scheme, soldiers are receiving 20 per cent reservations in police services... If any Agniveer returns, he will not be without a job and the BJP takes responsibility for this," he said.
Targeting Rahul Gandhi, Home Minister Shah said: "The Congress, especially Rahul 'Baba', is playing politics. I want to tell Haryana's youth that 'Hooda and company', whose job is to spread lies, are saying what will happen to Agniveers later... but what I say, I do it."
He was referring to former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.
The Agnipath scheme was introduced by the Central government on June 14, 2022, for short-term induction of personnel in the armed forces. It seeks to recruit soldiers for only four years, with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them in regular service. Those recruited under the new scheme are called Agniveers.
The government said replacing the legacy system would lower the age profile of the armed forces, ensure a fitter military and create a technically skilled war fighting force capable of meeting future challenges. But the decision sparked widespread protests and forced a concerted outreach by the government to scotch apprehensions about the scheme.
The controversy became a major electoral issue in Haryana, where tens of thousands of young men train for years to get into the armed forces.
The Congress promised to scrap Agnipath scheme if it came to power and the discontent around the scheme was seen as a major reason why the BJP slipped from 10 Lok Sabha seats in 2019 to just five in 2024. The issue is expected to play an even bigger role in the Assembly polls, when the BJP will vie for a third term.
Launching a scathing attack on the Congress, Home Minister Shah said soldiers were seeking "One Rank, One Pension" for 40 years, but the party never fulfilled the demand.
"The people elected (Narendra) Modi ji as PM in 2014, and by 2015, he made it a reality," he said.
Referring to the J&K elections, Shah said Rahul Gandhi and NC leader Omar Abdullah have an agenda to release all terrorists after the polls and also hold talks with Pakistan.
Flight operation between Agartala-Delhi to be increased; resumption of flight operation between Agartala-Aizawl, Agartala-Shillong, says MP Biplab Kumar Deb
The former Chief Minister and presently the MP for West Tripura constituency Biplab Kumar Deb on Friday chaired the airport advisory committee meeting here at Agartala MBB Airport and said that there is a plan to increase direct flight operation from Delhi to Agartala.
Tripura: Bill proposes hike in salaries of CM, Ministers and MLAs upto 50pc
An Amendment Bill has been moved in the Tripura Assembly on Friday proposing the increase of salaries, allowances of Ministers, MLAs and former legislators by 45 to 50 per cent.
Winter assembly session begins in Tripura; Governor Indrasena Reddy Nallu lauds Govt’s effort in maintaining law and order in Tripura
In his speech in the sixth session of the 13th Tripura Legislative Assembly, the Governor said, “The state of Tripura is witnessing development in almost every sector including infrastructure, health care, education, agriculture and others under the guidance of the Centre and state leadership.”
TSF stages protest, demands to raise Roman script for Kokborok language in Assembly
The Twipra Student Federation (TSF), a wing of the North East Students Organisation (NESO), on Friday staged a protest near Circuit House in Agartala, demanding the issue of adopting the Roman script for the Kokborok language be raised in the winter session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly, which started today.
Govt to appoint over 400 Assistant Professors in colleges: CM
In a move to provide quality education to students studying in various colleges and to solve the crisis of Professors across the state, the Tripura government has taken a series of steps, including the appointment of 200 Assistant Professors,
Drug peddling: ED raids cop's residence, premises of suspected smugglers in Tripura
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths on Friday conducted raids in Tripura and searched the residence of a police official and premises of several people allegedly involved in drug peddling and money laundering cases, sources said.
Crucial winter session of Tripura Assembly to begin from tomorrow
The crucial winter session of the Tripura assembly would begin on Friday and a bill would be moved in the House amending the existing law to provide retirement benefits to all MLAs who have served even for just a day, officials said on Thursday.
Ex-CM accuses BJP of divisive politics to mask hide core issues
Former Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Saturday criticized the ruling BJP, accusing it of fostering divisions among Hindus, Muslims, Tribals, and Non-Tribals to divert attention from pressing issues such as rising prices, unemployment, and economic hardships.