The Janata Dal United and the Lok Janshakti Party on Thursday publicly sought a review of the Agnipath scheme of temporary military recruitments.
“Sections of voters were upset at the Agnipath scheme; and so our party wants the doubts raised by the public discussed in detail and removed,” JDU spokesperson K.C. Tyagi told reporters.
Hours later, LJP chief Chirag Paswan said he too favoured a “review” of the Agnipath scheme. He added that a caste census be undertaken across the country, a demand the JDU had already pressed.
Youths struggling with joblessness across the country have widely condemned the Agnipath scheme, under which recruits are appointed to the armed forces for only four years, after which most of them are to be discharged without pension or benefits. Military veterans have warned that the scheme would destroy the forces’ professionalism and morale.
Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party is keen on securing heavy-ticket ministries along with the Lok Sabha Speaker’s post. BJP insiders have ruled out handing over any of the top four ministries — home, finance, defence and external affairs — to allies. However, Desam sources said Naidu was eyeing the finance portfolio to ensure prompt clearance for a financial package to develop Amaravati as the new capital of Andhra Pradesh, and for “special category” status to the state.
With 16 MPs, the Desam is the largest NDA ally, followed by the JDU with 12 MPs.
“The home, finance, defence and foreign ministries will remain with us,” a BJP leader said, while indicating that the Desam’s demand for the Speaker’s post could be considered. He said Naidu’s party could be given ministries like telecom & information technology and urban development, appearing confident that it would be acceptable to the southern ally.
BJP managers said a formula of one ministry for every four MPs was being adopted, and Naidu would therefore be offered four ministries for his 16 MPs. However, they added, this number could be cut down if the Desam is given the Speaker’s post.
Going by the same formula, the JDU could get three ministries and the LJP, one.
Senior BJP leaders Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and J.P. Nadda, the party president, have been assigned the job of negotiating with the allies.