Debabrata Saikia questions Assam's polygamy decision, demands action against erring employees

Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has criticised the Assam Cabinet's decision on polygamy, the Centre's Agnipath recruitment scheme and the BJP's advice to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, raising questions over the government's policies and approach to governance.

Reacting to the Assam Cabinet's decision on polygamy, Saikia said that government employees who engage in such practices should face disciplinary action. He said those who violate the rules should not be allowed to continue in government service.

"People who go for such type of immoral things should not be allowed to be in government service. Action should be taken against those who do not follow the rules," Saikia said.

On the Centre's reported decision to grant Agniveers a two-year extension in service, the Congress leader called the move a temporary arrangement and questioned the government's long-term defence recruitment policy.

Saikia said the Agnipath scheme lacked a concrete policy framework and argued that the government should focus on filling regular vacancies in the armed forces, particularly in view of security challenges along India's borders.

"Agniveer was a temporary measure. The government doesn't have a concrete policy. The government should have filled up their regular vacancies to fight the onslaught of neighbours like China. They are only making stop-gap arrangements," he said.

Questioning the government's claims about India's defence preparedness, Saikia pointed to vacancies in the armed forces and called for the abolition of the Agniveer scheme.

"They say that our defence is strong, but so many vacancies remain. I will ask Agniveer policy to be abolished," he added.

Saikia also criticised Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju's seven-point advice to Rahul Gandhi, questioning the BJP's approach towards political accountability and parliamentary debate.

Responding to Rijiju's remarks, Saikia alleged that the BJP did not follow the principles it advocated and called for a debate between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi on the government's policies.

"They don't practise what they preach. I will ask the Cabinet to pass a resolution asking the Prime Minister to come for a debate with our leader Rahul Gandhi and tell the nation what is going on and defend his government's policies," Saikia said.