Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram criticized the Election Commission on Thursday, asserting that the directive to his party not to ‘politicise’ the Agnipath scheme was “egregiously wrong”. He emphasized that it is the legitimate right of an Opposition party to criticize government policies.
The Election Commission had issued a stern warning to both the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress, urging them to refrain from campaigning along lines of caste, community, language, and religion. Additionally, the EC directed the Congress not to politicize defense forces and refrain from making potentially divisive statements regarding the socio-economic composition of the armed forces, particularly in reference to the Agnipath scheme.
In response, Chidambaram questioned the meaning of ‘politicize’, asserting that criticism of government policies is a fundamental aspect of democratic discourse. He highlighted concerns regarding the Agniveer scheme, pointing out its alleged flaws such as creating divisions among soldiers and its employment practices.
Chidambaram emphasized that the Agniveer scheme, which has faced opposition from the Army, should be scrapped. He criticized the Election Commission for its directive to the Congress party, stating that it was “egregiously wrong”.
The statement from Chidambaram underscores the ongoing debate surrounding political discourse and electoral campaigning in the country.
