New Delhi, Apr 12: The Congress on Friday reacted to the reported letter written by more than 150 veterans expressing dismay over the armed forces being used for “political purposes”, and alleged that the Narendra Modi Government was ”dragging” the Army into politics.
Referring to the reported letter addressed to President Ram Nath Kovind, who is the Supreme Commander of the country’s armed forces, by the 156 war veterans on the “completely unacceptable practice of political leaders taking credit for military operations like cross-border strikes”, Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi at a press briefing said this was for the first time that the ex-soldiers have come out regarding the issue of the politicisation of the Army.
However, several of the signatories to the letter circulating on social media have denied signing the letter, adding a fresh twist to the controversy. Former Army chief General Rodrigues and former Air Force chief NC Suri said they never signed the letter.
The letter, written on April 11 and titled ‘From a group of veterans to our Supreme Commander’, signed by 156 veterans, refers to how “political leaders (were) taking credit for military operations like cross-border strikes.”
The letter expresses displeasure at Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath terming the armed forces as ‘Modiji ki Sena’. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also asked first-time voters to dedicate their ballots to soldiers who carried out the airstrike in Balakot.
Speaking on the issue of politicisation of the Army, the Congress spokesperson said ”more than 156 former army officers have had to write to the President as to how a political party is using the Army for its own benefit. How can we forget that BJP president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have spoken so often on the Pulwama attack and Balakot airstrike, how UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi are calling the Army as ‘Modi’s Army’? The sad thing is that the BJP is dragging the Army into politics.”
She said even after Kargil, General VP Malik had also written in his book that he had to tell the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee that the Army should not be used ‘politically’, adding ”the party is standing with the Army and wants to say that this will weaken the morale of the Army.’ (UNI)
