Amid 'Unconditional' Support To NDA, JD(U) Calls For Review Of Agnipath Scheme

Tyagi also addressed the issue of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), noting that while JD(U) is not opposed to the UCC, it believes that all stakeholders should be consulted.

Just hours after expressing its support for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Janata Dal (United) [JD(U)] on Thursday called for a review of the Agnipath scheme, the govt's scheme to induct soldiers into the Indian Armed Forces. JD(U) leader K.C. Tyagi stated that his party has demanded a review of the scheme and will continue to push for a caste census, which he described as a timely need. 

"There is anger among voters about the (short-term army recruitment) Angbiveer scheme. Our party wants those shortcomings to be removed, on which people have objections," Tyagi told reporters. He also emphasised that JD(U)'s support for the BJP was "unconditional". 

Tyagi also addressed the issue of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), noting that while JD(U) is not opposed to the UCC, it believes that all stakeholders should be consulted. "On UCC, the Chief Minister (Nitish Kumar) had written to the Law Commission. We are not against the UCC. But there should be consultation with all the stakeholders, Chief Minister, political parties, and different sects, and a resolution should be found," he said. 

Regarding the caste census, Tyagi stated, "No party in the country has denied a caste census. Bihar has shown the way, the Prime Minister also did not oppose... It is the demand of the time, and we will pursue it". 

Tyagi further reaffirmed JD(U)'s "unconditional" support for the BJP as part of NDA but expressed a desire for Bihar to be granted special status. "There is no pre-condition, there is unconditional support. But it is in our minds and hearts that Bihar should be given special status. After bifurcation, the situation Bihar has faced cannot be corrected without granting it special status," he said. 

Support from allies like JD(U) is crucial for the BJP, as it ell far short of the majority mark in the Lok Sabha election. The BJP secured 240 seats, 32 short of an absolute majority. With the help of its allies, including Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar's JD(U), the NDA reached 293 seats. 

The Agnipath scheme recruits youth into the Armed Forces for four years, with 25 per cent retained as full-time soldiers while the rest receive a one-time financial package. The initial four-year period does not count toward pension calculations or other financial benefits for those retained. 

The Department of Military Affairs (DMA) was actively reviewing feedback on the Agniveers' performances to adjust the scheme as needed for the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Heads of personnel departments from all three services were involved in this ongoing assessment.

In December 2023, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, chaired by BJP MP Jual Oram, recommended that families of Agniveers who die in the line of duty receive the same benefits as families of regular soldiers. Current rules do not provide pension benefits for Agniveer families, unlike regular soldier families who receive lifetime pensions. 

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