The Aam Aadmi Party has condemned the BJP for making false promises to fool the youth of the country as it unable to address the most pressing issue facing them, i .e. unemployment. National Vice-President of the party’s Youth Wing, Siddhesh Bhagat, called the two recent announcements by the Modi Govt, i.e. 10 lakh Central govt vacancies filled in 18 months, and the Agnipath scheme of short-term recruitment in the defence forces, as a massive fraud and a betrayal of the youth of the country.

“Regarding the promise of 10 lakh jobs, Modiji has suddenly remembered unemployed youth because the 2024 elections is approaching. The party which promised to create 2 crore jobs a year before previous elections is trying to distract from its dismal failure with such empty promises. We want to warn the youth that this too is just another election Jumla, as the 18-month deadline to fill these vacancies promised by the Govt falls just before the Lok Sabha polls. Youth of Goa have already suffered the consequences of believing false promises of jobs by Pramod Sawant, and should now teach this party a lesson in the upcoming panchayat and Lola Sabha polls”, Bhagat said.

While appealing for protests to be peaceful and non-violent, Bhagat said the Agnipath scheme has destroyed the aspiration of youth who dreamed of serving the nation through its armed forces.

“Many youth make a conscious and important decision to dedicate, and if required even sacrifice, their life for the security of the country, and in turn a grateful nation ensures job security & financial security to the soldier and his family for this commitment. By removing all such benefits and security in the Agnipath scheme, the BJP has diminished and belittled the commitment of our soldiers. There will be no pension, canteen or any other benefits, and Agniveers will not even get the honour of martyr status if he loses his life during the 4-year service. Even the so-called exit package of Rs. 11 lakh will be funded in part by deducting an amount of 30% of his own salary every month. This is nothing but a fraud and a mockery of the patriotism and dedication of our soldiers”, Bhagat alleged.

ST Wing President of the Goa unit, Anil Gaonkar stated that BJP is endangering the security of the nation by toying with the defence forces through the Agnipath scheme.

“If the Modi Govt wants to reduce the burden of salary & pension, then they should follow the example of AAP Govt of Punjab and remove the multiple pensions & benefits of MPs and MLAs. These politicians enjoy generous pensions and perks for life if they are MP/MLA even for a single day, but the selfish & corrupt BJP wants to deny benefits to our brave soldiers who protect our borders with their lives”, Gaonkar stated.

Referring to the shocking statement of BJP National Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya that he would give first priority to an Agniveer when hiring a security guard for the BJP office, Gaonkar slammed the BJP for reducing the status of a soldier to that of a security guard.

“Vijayvargiya has inadvertently stated the reality of Agnipath, and this exposes the BJP leaders who were making grand claims about the scheme’s benefits in the media to counter the widespread criticism. The BJP leaders who are still praising the scheme should lead the way and enrol their own sons and family members as Agniveers, otherwise they should admit they are lying to and fooling the youth of India”, Gaonkar charged. (GoaNewsHub)