BJP opposes move to appoint new Army Chief, CBI special director

New Delhi, 25 April 2014

Questioning the timing of the likely announcement of the next Army chief, BJP on Friday wrote to President Pranab Mukherjee asking him to put on hold the appointment.

Senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy wrote to Pranab Mukherjee saying, “The timing of proposed announcement will demoralise armed forces. Outgoing government seems intent on fostering upon the nation its handpicked choice as Army Chief.”

“You must put a stop to these devious machinations that have impacted India’s security. I hope you will put an immediate end to speculation of illegally timed appointment,” Swamy wrote in his letter to Mukherjee.

In an interview to Times Now, Swamy raised questions on the hurry in appointing the new Army chief. “What is the hurry? Do you think that the next government will be anti-national? I can understand if the present Army chief was retiring on the 1st of May, but he is retiring in July,” Swamy said. “I don’t understand why they (UPA government) are doing it, except for if they want somebody in place who is friendly to them,” he added.

Earlier this week, Former Army chief and BJP’s Lok Sabha candidate V K Singh 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.

Notwithstanding objections by BJP, the Defence Ministry is going ahead with the process of appointing the new Army Chief and has recommended the name of Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The recommendation of the Defence Ministry will have to be approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. As per tradition, the government announces the name of services chiefs-designate two months before the retirement of the incumbent.

President of India has referred my letter on COAS appointment to PM for a report. Thank you

— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) April 25, 2014

The Defence Ministry has taken the step even though opposition BJP has said the outgoing government should not appoint the new Army Chief and should leave it to the next government that is expected to take over towards the end of next month.

BJP opposes move to appoint CBI special director

In another development, the BJP has opposed UPA’s move of appointing Special Director in Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI). BJP spokesperson Sri Ravishankar Prasad raised this issue in press conference in Lucknow. He said when there are just 22 days left for installation of new government, why the present government is desperate for new appointments?