Deviating from tradition, the naming of Lt Gen Bipin Rawat as the new Chief of the Army Staff superseding two seniors has triggered a political storm and given the Congress and Left Front a new stick to beat the government, writes Col DS Cheema (Retd)
Traditionally, the new service chiefs are appointed at least two months before the incumbent retires. However, since Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the habit of springing surprises, the announcement of new army and air chiefs was done on 17 December when they have to take over their respective appointments on the afternoon of 31 December 2016. The other surprise was Lt Gen Bipin Rawat, Vice-Chief of Army Staff; the new appointee supersedes Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen Parveen Bakshi and Southern Army Commander Lt Gen P M Hariz.
The appointment has triggered a political storm and given the Congress and Left Front a new stick to beat the government. In fact, a political slugfest has broken out. Congress and the Left Front have questioned the government on the wisdom of superseding two senior generals. Left says that appointments under NDA have become controversial and raises “serious and critical questions of institutional integrity.” Congress too feels that government is playing with institutions. Some have even gone to the ridiculous extent of giving the appointment a religious colour. BJP moved quickly to suppress the political storm and defended the appointment by saying that the decision was not unprecedented and “nothing can be extrapolated out of context to justify supersession.”
Esta historia es de la edición January 15 2017 de Tehelka.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 15 2017 de Tehelka.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Why Did Ratan Tata Feel Compelled To Take Charge Again?
Did Cyrus Mistry fall victim to an ossified corporate culture or did he violate Tata Sons’ ethos and culture? MG BanGa tells the story so far.
Misguided Youths Or Trained Terrorists?
As part of a dangerous trend emerging across the world, homegrown ISIL sympathisers are willing and attempting to carry out deadly terror attacks without any comprehensive support system.
Indian Railways: Living In Dreams
Indian Railways is changing track, giving up its separate Budget and experimenting with surge pricing on three popular trains. That leaves the behemoth with no funds to replace ageing assets and encourage further investments.
Priyanka Gandhi Agreed To Play Bigger Role In UP
Further delay in decision making could be detrimental to the party’s goal to rejuvenate its prospects in the State Assembly elections.
Mission 2019: Banega Swachh India?
Two years ago, Modi kicked off a cleanliness drive in a spectacular way. Showing the contrast between world cities and Gurgaon, MG BANGA suggests ways in which the mission can be accomplished by 2019.
The Goodwill Enjoyed By Mehabooba Mufti Has Been Erased!
Mehbooba Mufti risks losing her popularity and irking her party ranks by using New Delhi’s rulebook to deal with the unrest in Kashmir.
Is China's Support To Pakistan, Big Threat To India?
New Delhi needs to be cautious as in Pakistan’s scheme of things, strategic ties with China can serve as a powerful weapon to deal with adversaries like India.
Panama Papers: Nawaz Sharif'S Troubles Escalate
After his name surfaced in the Panama paper leak following several other charges of money laundering filed against him, there is pressure on Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif to resign.
This Potus Will Make The World Go Bust
The man who believes global warming is a hoax and has a short attention span will now preside over the affairs not just of the United States but of the whole world. A daunting prospect.
Reel-Life Bohemians, Real-Life Hyprocrites
ADHM vs Palm Grove Heights: In cinematic life, two strangers Ranbir and Anushka meet in a pub in London and go on a kissing spree while in actual life back in India, a woman from Barcelona was evicted from her male friend’s home in Gurugram. Is cinema really a mirror of society?