2024-08-27 22:41:30
New Delhi : In its third term, the Modi government seems to be taking U-turns on one decision after another. Issues include lateral entry, new pension scheme, draft of broadcasting bill, Wakf Amendment Act and long term capital gain. The special thing is that the main opposition party Congress seems very happy with the government’s U-turn. Not only this, it is also trying to give the message that how the Narendra Modi government is being forced to backtrack on its decisions in its third term under pressure from the opposition and its allies.
What is the government saying?
However, the government is giving its own reasons behind the U-turn. According to the News18 report, people associated with the government say that this step by the government is a symbol of being aware of the public’s response. Also, the government is continuing to demolish the strategy of the Congress. Many people in the BJP believe that this is a part of turning the political narrative in its favor again after the victory in the Lok Sabha elections. Apart from this, it is an example of political pragmatism shown by PM Modi.
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Agnipath, big decision on caste census
According to the report, now two big issues are being discussed in the corridors of power. These issues are Agneepath Yojana and caste census. The opposition is constantly attacking the Modi government on these issues. Apart from this, the allies of the NDA are also becoming vocal on these issues. Chirag Paswan is openly speaking in favor of caste census. At the same time, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has also said on many occasions that the government is ready to make changes to further improve the ‘Agneepath’ scheme. This scheme, launched two years ago for entry into the armed forces, is considered to be one of the major reasons for the electoral defeat of the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. Congress had also promised to end the Agneepath scheme if it came to power.
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Our own people are vocal on caste census
Similarly, caste census is an issue in favor of which both the major NDA allies JDU and LJP have expressed their stand different from the government. Given the nature of caste politics in Bihar, this issue is very important. The special thing is that elections are to be held in the state next year. On the other hand, so far, the Prime Minister has strongly defended the ‘Agneepath’ scheme. Modi also defended it in Kargil last month. The government has also strongly rejected all demands for caste census. The government says that this will prove to be a ‘divisive step’. However, the way the government has taken two steps back on major issues including the pension scheme. In such a situation, it should not be surprising if PM Modi makes a big announcement on both these issues in the coming days.
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The issue of MSP is smoldering
Apart from these two issues, the issue of Minimum Support Price (MSP) is also simmering. A committee has been formed to consider this issue. The opposition is demanding a law guaranteeing MSP for farmers. The displeasure of farmer organizations with the Modi government in Haryana, Punjab as well as Western Uttar Pradesh is well known. Two major decisions were withdrawn in the first and second term of the Modi government. One of these was the Land Acquisition Act and the other was the change in three agricultural laws. These changes took place when the BJP had a full majority government at the Center. Regarding the recent withdrawal of the Modi government, party leaders say that the reason behind the government’s decision is not opposition pressure but political pragmatism.
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Politics of caste in political discourse
The return of caste politics to the central political discourse is also determining the government’s decisions to oppose the Supreme Court’s decision on sub-classification of Scheduled Castes and exclusion of the creamy layer, or to introduce reservation in the lateral entry scheme for the first time. News18 quoted a senior BJP leader in its report saying that the government is also aware of the opposition’s conspiracies to incite people to agitate on such issues. In such a situation, it does not want to derail the country’s development story.