Congress leaders advise defence personnel to remain apolitical

New Delhi, Mar 15 (ANI): In the wake of Major General I S Singha lauding Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leaders on Tuesday said that defence personnel, particularly those officers with flag and star status should be apolitical.

Congress MP Jagadambika Pal stated that being in a responsible rank of Major General, the officer should not have made such statements with political bearings.

"Anybody can form an opinion, but when in the post of a Major General, then one should not comment on any political figure belonging to ruling party or opposition, as it is not as per the code of conduct in the defence services," said Jagdambika Pal.

Congress spokesperson Abhishek Manu Singhvi shared similar views by contending top brass of the defence forces should desist from making statements with political overtones.

"I think it's only fair to look at the statement, which has been objected to along with the clarification which has come. And it is very clear the principle matters that as long as we remember the principle matters as a nation and as an individual there is no scope for any confusion or doubt," said Singhvi.

"The principle is that those who are in government service but here much more importantly are in armed forces do not, would not, should not comment upon or deal in any manner directly or indirectly issues having political overtones or indeed governance overtones," he added.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader M Venkaiah Naidu, however, argued that the Congress party was making an issue of the General's statement, which was just a personal appreciation.

"To dig out controversy out of any topic is not right. He has not said any thing wrong. He commented upon the way he (Narendra Modi) works and the way he meets the deadline. There is nothing objectionable in it," said Naidu.

"I don't think any thing wrong in what army Major General said because Narendra Modi meets the deadlines and completes the work whatever is assigned to him as far as the development is concerned. That is a personal appreciation. People should not try to go beyond it and try to draw conclusions," he added.

General Officer Commanding (GOC) Major General I S Singha of the Golden Katar Division on Monday said Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has all the qualities of a successful Army commander, as he keeps deadline for completion of work, and ensures that target is achieved by the set time.

Speaking at the inauguration of three-day 'Know Your Army' exhibition organised by the Golden Katar Division of the Army in Ahmedabad, Major General Singha praised Modi and his government for developmental work in Gujarat, and said: "Chief Minister Modi has all the qualities of a successful Army commander. His programmes are aimed at development of both the state and the nation."

Speaking on the occasion, Major General Singha also sought land for setting up housing welfare societies for ex-servicemen from Modi.

"I would like to request the Chief Minister to provide land to the Army for setting up housing welfare societies for the ex-servicemen in Ahmedabad. Such schemes are available in all other states," he added. (ANI)