Modi Govt. using Indian Army for electoral gains: Delhi CM Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday accused Narendra Modi led NDA government for using the Indian Army for electoral gain by pseudo declaration of the One Rank One Pension and snatching away armed forces rights.

"You (Prime Minister Modi's government) are using the army and snatching away the rights of the jawans and he is lying and should apologize to the nation and soldiers," he said.

"We should be proud of our surgical strikes conducted by Indian Army but next day the Modi government halved the disability pension rather than giving accolades for the feat. Last week, the rank of the army personnel has been reduced," Delhi CM added.

"Prime Minister Modi is spreading lies that OROP has been implemented then why Ram Kishan had to commit suicide?" Kejriwal questioned the Central government.

Kejriwal told ANI that as soon he heard the news then he rushed to the spot but Delhi Police encircled and hauled him.

Speaking on being hauled in front of the Lady Hardinge Hospital, Delhi CM said, "I came to meet the family and I have been hauled in front the Lady Hardinge Hospital, then Police replied that my visit can create law and order problem. But how can an elected Chief Minister of Delhi create that problem and they didn't tell me the whereabouts of the family," Kejriwal said.

"I called up victim's son and he said that they are locked up in Connaught Place police station and when I asked about the reason for their arrest then they told me that police is not disclosing the reason," he added.

Seventy-year-old ex-serviceman Ram Kishan Grewal was protesting against anomalies in the One Rank One Pension (OROP) scheme, and allegedly committed suicide by consuming poison in the lawns behind Jawahar Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday night.

Grewal purportedly left a suicide note, saying that he was taking his life due to the delay in meeting of army veterans.

One Rank One Pension, a longstanding demand of ex-servicemen, grants retired armed forces personnel pension parity with officers and jawans of the same rank who are retiring now.

The ex-serviceman had participated in protests over OROP and his fellow-protesters today asked leaders not to politicise the issue. A group of ex-servicemen say the OROP scheme implemented by the government last year fails to meet key expectations.