Hyderabad: Telangana Congress during a day-long protest -- Satyagraha Deeksha -- against the Centre's 'Agnipath' scheme on Monday demanded that CM K Chandrashekhar Rao should immediately convene a special legislative Assembly session and pass a resolution opposing the "ill-conceived" scheme.
Congress senior leader and former minister Shabbir Ali leading the 'Deeksha' (protest) at Kamareddy has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Agnipath scheme. "CM KCR was still silent on the issue although other TRS leaders opposed the scheme," he said.
Calling the 'Agnipath' ill-conceived, the Telangana congress said that the scheme was aimed at diverting the people’s attention from the rising unemployment in the country.
"There used to be direct recruitment of 50,000 to 80,000 personnel in the Indian armed forces every year. However, by using catchy terms like 'Agnipath' and 'Agniveers', PM Modi confined the hiring to below 50,000. Further, all the recruitments under Agnipath are being done on a contract basis," He said.
Also read | Congress Continues Sit-In At ED Office In Hyderabad
Shabbir Ali said that PM Modi has "displayed his arrogance and dictatorial attitude by launching the ‘Agnipath’ scheme without consulting anyone".
"When PM Modi implemented demonetisation and GST, CM KCR was in the forefront to support his moves. KCR went to an extent of stopping opposition Congress legislators from speaking against Modi's decision in the House. Although some TRS leaders have opposed the Agnipath scheme, KCR is yet to react to the scheme. Why is he afraid of talking against PM Modi and his ill-conceived scheme?" he questioned.
Shabbir Ali also condemned the death of a youth in the police firing during the protest against the Agnipath scheme at Secunderabad Railway Station. He alleged that both TRS and BJP governments were responsible for preventing violence during the protest against Agnipath.