Controversy over Army Chief Appointment: Emergency, says JDU; No Politics, claims BJP
New Delhi, Dec 19: The appointment of the new Army chief has ignited a political debate with JDU calling it the 1983 Emergency-like situation. While, the government has linked the appointment with security reasons in context with Pakistan, China, and terrorism, the Congress party has described the appointment as “whimsical cherry picking”.
The government sources have claimed that in the selection and nomination of the Chief of Army, due process has been followed considering security scenario and requirements. Contrary to Congress’ claims, the government has said that it was not ‘cherry picking’.
“They are all competent officers but under the prevailing security scenario, the government found Lt Gen Rawat as the most suitable candidate,” said BJP national secretary, Shrikant Sharma.
Sharma has also asked the Opposition to not politicise the move.
The government hasn’t said anything about how this entire process took place. In fact, the government sources have claimed that Lt Gen Bipin Rawat is ‘tremendously experienced in combat areas.’
The strongest comments have come from JDU which has accused BJP of doing the ‘same thing’ which they earlier had raised questions over before they came in power.
“It reminds me of the past days of the Emergency during Indira Gandhi. It seems those old days are coming back,” JD(U)’s general secretary KC Tyagi reportedly told The Indian Express.
Raising questions over the appointment, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari reportedly asked the compelling reason for the supersession and also said that the fact the principle of seniority, followed for last two decades, wasn’t respected by the government raises the questions over the qualification of the previous appointees.
“Why does the Army have to go through unnecessary bloodletting at the top? If it has been done, then reasons need to be put out in the public domain,” said Tewari, reports The Indian Express.
CPI leader D Raja said that various appointments by the government have often sparked controversies.
Accusing BJP of having scant regard for institutional integrity, Tewari also reported that there was “a pattern in the government’s appointments, from the CVC in 2015 to the appointment or non-appointment of a fulltime director of the Enforcement Directorate and the ad hoc appointment in the CBI’s case.”
