Agniveer, will there be a big decision on caste census too? Congress's U-turn or defeat…what strategy is Modi following after all

What is the government saying?

However, the government is giving its own reasoning behind this U-turn. According to a News18 report, people associated with the government say that this move of the government is a symbol of being aware of the public response. Also, the government is engaged in demolishing the strategy of the Congress. Many 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 make the 'Agneepath' scheme better. This scheme, launched two years ago for entry into the armed forces, is being considered a major reason 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 about 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. This issue is very important given the nature of caste politics in Bihar. The special thing is that elections are to be held in the state next year. On the other hand, till now 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 heating up. 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 a change in the three agricultural laws. These changes took place when the BJP had a full majority government at the Center. Regarding the withdrawal of the recent decisions of the Modi government, party leaders say that the reason behind the government's decision is not the pressure of the opposition 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 to sub-categorise the Scheduled Castes and exclude the creamy layer, or to implement 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 on such issues. In such a situation, it does not want to derail the country's development story.