The debate on Budget 2024 in the Lok Sabha today saw a fiery exchange between Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and BJP MP Anurag Thakur over the Agnipath scheme.
Akhilesh Yadav VS Anurag Thakur
Akhilesh Yadav, the MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Kannauj, described the budget as a “budget of despair,” contrasting it with the government’s praise. He criticized the budget for lacking provisions for the unemployed, the youth, and rural areas. “Those with families know how difficult it is to run a household, provide education for children, and care for the elderly,” Yadav stated.
Shifting focus to Uttar Pradesh, the former Chief Minister questioned the lack of significant projects in the state despite having the Prime Minister. “Did we get an IIM or an IIT? Which central institution was set up? The Samajwadi Party government provided land for two AIIMS in Raebareli and Gorakhpur, but are people receiving adequate treatment there?” he asked. He also took a jab at the BJP’s performance in the recent general election in Uttar Pradesh, implying that the results reflected the party’s shortcomings.
Yadav recited a shayari by Wasim Barelvi, “Woh jhoot bol raha tha bade salike se, main aitbaar na karta toh kya karta? (He lied with such finesse, I had no option but to believe),” which was met with cheers from the Opposition benches.
Referring to a recent train derailment in Jharkhand, Yadav remarked, “Ever since the government has taken over, there is a competition between rail accidents and paper leaks.”
He also questioned the ruling party’s promise to double farmers’ income and criticized their stance on the Minimum Support Price (MSP), asking, “You say you are giving MSP, then why are you denying a legal guarantee?”
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On the Agnipath scheme for short-term recruitment in the armed forces, Yadav argued, “No youngster preparing to join the forces can accept it. When this scheme was introduced, prominent industrialists were asked to tweet in its favor, promising to rehire Agniveers after their four-year stint.”
He continued, “But the government knows it is not a good scheme, which is why it is asking BJP-led state governments to provide job quotas for Agniveers.”
When BJP MP and former Union minister Anurag Thakur opposed his remarks, Yadav challenged him to affirm that Agnipath is a good scheme and then sat down.
Anurag Thakur, hailing from Himachal Pradesh, which he highlighted for its military contributions, responded, “It is the Narendra Modi government that fulfilled the long-pending demand of One Rank One Pension. I am saying this, Agniveer has a 100 percent employment guarantee.”
Akhilesh Yadav countered, “Then what is the need for state governments to give quotas (for Agniveers)? I attended a military school, we can also count Param Vir Chakras.”
Anurag Thakur stood up again, emphasizing his military service, “He has just gone to a military school, I am serving as a Territorial Army captain. Akhilesh ji, don’t give gyan.”
In a final swipe, Akhilesh Yadav remarked on Anurag Thakur not holding a ministerial position this time, “Maybe he is agitated because he is no longer a minister. I read pain on your face.”
