Congress Accuses PM Modi of 'Petty Politics' Over Agnipath Scheme on Kargil Vijay Diwas

The Congress accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of engaging in 'petty politics' during Kargil Vijay Diwas by attributing the implementation of the Agnipath scheme to the Army. Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Jairam Ramesh criticized the scheme, citing comments from former Army Chief General MM Naravane and concerns over national security.

On Friday, the Congress accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of engaging in 'petty politics' while paying tribute to martyrs on Kargil Vijay Diwas. The controversy centered on Modi's claim that the Agnipath scheme had been implemented at the behest of the Army, which the Congress called a 'blatant lie'.

This accusation follows Modi's statement that the Agnipath military recruitment scheme exemplifies necessary reforms undertaken by the Army. The Prime Minister also accused the opposition of politicizing the recruitment process, aimed at maintaining a lower average age in the armed forces.

Addressing attendees on Kargil Vijay Diwas in Dras, marking the 25th anniversary of the Kargil War victory, Modi dismissed claims that the Agnipath scheme was launched to save pension money. In response, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge labeled Modi's statements as an insult to the armed forces and untrue.

(With inputs from agencies.)