Don’t Need Military On Rent, Agnipath Scheme Must Be Taken Back: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

“We can't keep soldiers on rent. How can we make them ex-soldiers merely at age of 21? They protect country in harsh conditions,” he added.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann (File Photo: AFP)

New Delhi: Amid massive anti-Agnipath protests, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann took potshots at the Centre on Friday, saying the nation does not “need military on rent” and the recruitment scheme must be withdrawn. “Politicians never retire, it’s only soldiers, public who retire...We don't need military on rent. Agnipath scheme must be taken back,” news agency ANI quoted Mann as saying.

“We can't keep soldiers on rent. How can we make them ex-soldiers merely at age of 21? They protect country in harsh conditions,” he added.

Mann also vented his ire on Twitter while demanding an immediate rollback of the decision.

“After stopping recruitment to the Army for two years, the Centre’s new diktat is that stay in the Army for four years and then don't get pension. This is an insult to the Army. It is a cheating with the youth of the country,” he wrote on the micro-blogging platform in Hindi.

Commenting on increase in incidents of Khalistan posters appearing in the state, Mann said: “We are also nabbing those involved in it.”

“It’s all politics because some are still wondering how a teacher’s son became the CM and ran the state government effectively,” he added.

The Punjab Chief Minister also out at the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) for allegedly patronising “notorious criminals” and “mafia” during their respective regimes, news agency PTI reported.

Addressing a roadshow in Dirba, Sangrur, in favour of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate for the Sangrur Lok Sabha by-poll to be held next week, Mann vowed to make Punjab a “gangster-free land” and make the state prosperous in the coming days.

Mann, who was canvassing for AAP candidate Gurmail Singh for the Sangrur Lok Sabha by-poll for the second consecutive day, hit out at the Opposition parties stating those responsible for introducing gangster culture in Punjab are today making hue and cry over it.

Stating everyone knows that previous governments in Punjab had allegedly patronised the gangsters and used them for fulfilling their political interests, Mann said: “I haven't brought gangsters with me but I assure you that I will make the state a gangster-free land.”

The Punjab Chief Minister said that Opposition leaders have been alarmed by his government's action against corruption and the mafia, adding many are now afraid of going to jail.

Claiming that works which were not done in 75 years in Punjab have been accomplished in first three months of his government in the state, Mann said the Opposition parties are not able to digest the works done by the “pro-people AAP government.”

Expressing his gratitude to the people of Punjab for giving a thumping majority to the AAP in the assembly elections, Mann said: “People of Sangrur showered love on me and made me the CM of Punjab.”

Mann, who held road shows in Dirba, Khanauri, Lehra, Chhajli, Jakhepal, Cheema, Longowal, and Sunam areas and appealed to the people to elect Gurmail Singh from the constituency, added: “I am the voice of people and each action is meant for the development of the state.”

The Sangrur Lok Sabha seat fell vacant after Mann contested and won from Dhuri assembly segment in the 2022 Punjab Assembly polls.

The Congress has fielded former Dhuri MLA Dalvir Singh Goldy. Barnala MLA Kewal Dhillon is in the fray from the BJP, while Kamaldeep Kaur, sister of Balwant Singh Rajoana, a convict in former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh's assassination case, is the SAD candidate for the by-poll on June 23.