In a big boost to Modi 3.0, the NDA ally JD(U) on Thursday backed the ‘one nation, one poll’ and Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the legislations that the BJP-led government has been wanting to implement for years.
However, the Nitish Kumar’s party has sought some modification in the Agniveer scheme, which it believes has upset the voters and eventually impacted the Lok Sabha election results.
JD(U) leaders met at the residence of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in the national capital earlier in the day to decide the future course of action after the party declared support for PM Modi on Wednesday.
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Emerging out of the meeting, JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi while addressing the reporters, said, “A section of voters has been upset over the Agniveer scheme. Our party wants those shortcomings which have been questioned by the public to be discussed in detail and removed….”
Under the Agniveer scheme, which was rolled out in June 2022, youth are recruited for four years after which, 25% of them will be retained and the rest will be released - a clause that has upset army aspirants.
On UCC, the spokesperson said, as the national president of JD(U), CM Nitish Kumar had written to the Law Commission chief over the party’s stand on the issue.
“We are not against it but a solution should be found by talking to all stakeholders,” said Tyagi.
Terming the caste-based census the call of the hour, Tyagi said that no party in the country is against it and even the Prime Minister didn’t oppose it at the all-party delegation meeting.
“No party in the country has said no to caste-based census. Bihar has shown the path. PM too didn’t oppose it in all-party delegation. Caste-based census is the call of the hour. We will pursue it,” added Tyagi.
When asked if there was any pre-condition set by the JD(U) before joining the NDA, Tyagi said, “There is no pre-condition. There is unconditional support. But Bihar be given the special status is something which we have in our heart….”
With inputs from agencies
