 "UPA move to appoint next army chief morally incorrect:V K Singh")
Former Army chief and BJP's Lok Sabha candidate V K Singh today attacked the UPA government for its move to appoint the next Army chief, saying it was "morally and ethically" incorrect and the new Cabinet formed after the polls should take a final call on the issue.
In a statement here, General (retd) Singh clarified his stand on the appointment of present chief Gen Bikram Singh's successor, and said his decision to impose a 'discipline and vigilance (DV)' ban on Lt Gen Dalbir Suhag was justified as the court martial had found all the accused guilty.
"The selection process (for Army chief's appointment) is an ongoing business and it should continue, with the final clearance being made by the new Cabinet.
However, there are clear indications that the outgoing UPA government is deliberately speeding up the process in order to abrogate the decision to itself. This is morally and ethically incorrect," General (retd) Singh, who is the BJP candidate from Ghaziabad Lok Sabha seat, said.
On charges that he was raking up the issue of the next chief's appointment as he wanted to favour a particular officer whose son is married to his daughter, the former chief said, "The interest of the organisation and the institutional integrity of the armed forces and the country must come first, every time and always. Who is married to whom is and never was a consideration."
On the issue of the DV ban on Lt Gen Suhag, General (Retd) Singh said, "Though the ban was revoked by my successor arbitrarily, the resultant Court Martial has found all the accused guilty. This by itself vindicates my decision."
The former Army chief had imposed a DV ban on Lt Gen Suhag, then 3 Corps Commander, for the "failure of command and control" as an intelligence unit under him had allegedly carried out dacoity in Jorhat in Assam outside the jurisdiction of the Corps.
He said the ban should have resulted in the elevation of Lt Gen Ravi Dastane as Eastern Army Commander and this makes the "the charge of 'favouritism' on my part laughable and ought to be treated with disdain".
The former Army chief alleged that certain elements both within and outside the government have done "enormous damage to the country and to our armed forces".
The appointment of Admiral Robin Dhowan as Navy chief was an example of how callously the UPA has treated the armed forces, he added.
In a statement here, General (retd) Singh clarified his stand on the appointment of present chief Gen Bikram Singh's successor, and said his decision to impose a 'discipline and vigilance (DV)' ban on Lt Gen Dalbir Suhag was justified as the court martial had found all the accused guilty.
"The selection process (for Army chief's appointment) is an ongoing business and it should continue, with the final clearance being made by the new Cabinet.
However, there are clear indications that the outgoing UPA government is deliberately speeding up the process in order to abrogate the decision to itself. This is morally and ethically incorrect," General (retd) Singh, who is the BJP candidate from Ghaziabad Lok Sabha seat, said.
On charges that he was raking up the issue of the next chief's appointment as he wanted to favour a particular officer whose son is married to his daughter, the former chief said, "The interest of the organisation and the institutional integrity of the armed forces and the country must come first, every time and always. Who is married to whom is and never was a consideration."
On the issue of the DV ban on Lt Gen Suhag, General (Retd) Singh said, "Though the ban was revoked by my successor arbitrarily, the resultant Court Martial has found all the accused guilty. This by itself vindicates my decision."
The former Army chief had imposed a DV ban on Lt Gen Suhag, then 3 Corps Commander, for the "failure of command and control" as an intelligence unit under him had allegedly carried out dacoity in Jorhat in Assam outside the jurisdiction of the Corps.
He said the ban should have resulted in the elevation of Lt Gen Ravi Dastane as Eastern Army Commander and this makes the "the charge of 'favouritism' on my part laughable and ought to be treated with disdain".
The former Army chief alleged that certain elements both within and outside the government have done "enormous damage to the country and to our armed forces".
The appointment of Admiral Robin Dhowan as Navy chief was an example of how callously the UPA has treated the armed forces, he added.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
SAVE 25%
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Subscribe
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
SAVE 25%