BJP Wants To Make Its Armed Cadre Base Through ‘Agnipath’: Mamata Banerjee

Mumbai: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that BJP is trying to create its own “armed” cadre base through the new military recruitment programme ‘Agnipath’.

Terming the scheme as an insult to the armed forces, Banerjee also wondered whether the BJP was planning to appoint ‘Agniveer’ soldiers as ‘chowkidars’ in their party offices after serving four years.

“The BJP is trying to build its armed cadre base through this scheme. What will they do after four years? The party wants to put weapons in the hands of the youth,” the TMC chief said in the assembly.

Banerjee also said that the BJP is trying to fool the public by announcing such schemes before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“They had promised two crore jobs every year. But, now they are fooling the people of the country in the name of these schemes,” he said.

The BJP legislature party staged a walkout from the assembly in protest against Banerjee’s statement.

The Defense Ministry clarified during the press briefing on Sunday that the Agneepath Recruitment Scheme will not be withdrawn.

“Why should this be withdrawn? This is the only progressive step to make the armed force’s youth. It is a question of defence of the country,” Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, Lt Gen Anil Puri said yesterday.

Lt General Puri also said that anyone involved in protests, arson and vandalism against the scheme would not qualify to join the three services under the new model.

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