Coalition-Era Impact On Modi 3.0: JD (U) seeks Agnipath scheme review

In the first sign that the Narendra Modi government's third term could be very different from the first two, Nitish Kumar's JD(U) said it would demand a review of the Agnipath recruitment scheme for the Army. JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said there was resentment against the Agnipath scheme, and it was visible during the elections.
"There is a need to review the Agnipath scheme. There was a lot of opposition to the scheme and its effect was seen in the elections as well," KC Tyagi said. "We will not be confrontational about this... When the Agnipath scheme was introduced, there was discontent among a large section of the armed forces. Their families also protested during the elections. So, there is a need to discuss it," the senior Bihar leader said.
Launched in 2022, the Agnipath scheme provides for short-term induction of personnel into the armed forces with an aim to bring down the age profile of the three services. Those recruited under the scheme are called Agniveers.
The announcement of the scheme triggered violent protests in several parts of the country as youngsters preparing for entry into the armed forces opposed the short-term service plan.
Mr Tyagi also said a nationwide caste survey must be held and Bihar should get a special status. Significantly, a nationwide caste survey was one of the key poll planks of the INDIA Opposition bloc. Also, the Nitish Kumar government which was backed by the RJD and Congress had conducted a caste survey in the state before the JDU chief switched sides and joined hands with the NDA.
The JDU leader's remarks come at a time when Nitish Kumar and N Chandrababu Naidu, who have emerged kingmakers after BJP fell short of a majority, are bargaining hard for plum posts at the Centre. The JDU, sources said, may also insist on a Common Minimum Programme for the new NDA government. In the past two terms of the Narendra Modi government, the BJP held the absolute majority and was free to take its decisions. But the return of the coalition era has changed things.