CPIM, BJP leaders say army should not be dragged in politics

Amid war of words between Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over presence of army at toll plazas in West Bengal, BJP MP BC Khanduri and CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury today said Army should not be dragged in politics.
They also suggested that if any objection, related to Army, is there, it should be raised at appropriate platform.
"It's nothing new. This is old concept and policy of every government...It's very unfortunate. Army is totally apolitical. It's very sad for political reasons, they are involved. You fight your own battle. Why you want to involve the forces," Khanduri, himself a veteran, said.

Asked on the impact of such instances on Army, he said, "They feel sad and they cannot do anything about it. It gives a very bad taste...All the political parties should leave the people in uniform, particulary the armed forces, alone."
He also said if there is anything objectionable, then there is alternative, "go to the Prime Minister, Defence Minister and sort out the problem. For publicity, I think it is not done."
Echoing his views, Yechury said, "Involving Army into politics is wrong. If something is done wrong or you have objections then raise it at appropriate forum."

In a letter dated December 8 to Banerjee, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had expressed "deep pain" over the Chief Ministers allegations against the army for its recent exercise at toll gates in the state and said they can "adversely" impact the morale of the armed forces.

"Your allegations in this regard run the risk of adversely impacting the morale of the country's armed forces and the same were not expected from a person of your standing and experience in public life," the Minister said.
Hitting back, Banerjee said, "I take strong exception to your wild assertion that my articulation of the rights of the state government vis-a-vis Army deployment without clearance has impacted the morale of the armed forces.
"Your general observations about the political parties and politicians to have the luxury of making wild and unsubstantiated allegations may be apt for your party, but we do not belong to that group," she said in a two-page reply.

Banerjee, who has been opposing the Centre's demonetisation move, had accused it of deploying the army at toll plazas in West Bengal without informing the state government and described it as "unprecedented" and "a very serious situation worse than Emergency".