Signs of truce in Army chief-govt tussle

In signs of truce, Army chief General VK Singh today retreated from his hard positions saying there were "rogue elements" trying to project a "schism" between him and Defence Minister AK Antony and asserting that he was part of the government.

In de-escalation of tensions, General Singh issued a brief statement trying to clear the air saying that projection of schism between him and Antony was "untrue and needed to be guarded against".

The Army chief, who has been facing flak with some political leaders demanding his removal, said for the media to constantly project every issue as a battle between the government and the army chief is "misleading".

His attempt to further cool tempers apparently comes as a response to Antony expressing government's confidence in the service chiefs at a press conference yesterday.

Antony and General Singh had yesterday condemned the leak of the leak of Army chief's letter to the Prime Minister as anti-national and high treason respectively.

The Army chief, who had lost his battle with the government over the age row, had recently raised the hackles of the government by giving an interview claiming he was offered Rs 14 crores in bribes to swing a sub-standard deal.

The leak of the letter to the Prime Minister raised tensions between the two sides.

"For the media to constantly project every issue as a battle between the government and the Army is misleading. Army, by extension the COAS, are also a part of the government.

"There are rogue elements who are actively trying to project as schism between the defence minister and the COAS. This is untrue and needs to be guarded against," he said.

Reacting to General Singh's remarks rogue elements, retired Lt General Tejinder Singh attacked him saying the Army chief was insinuating that he was "causing schism" between him and Antony.

He said General Singh was frustated because he did not get a 10-month extension in service and was targeting him.