M A I N   N E W S

EC clearance sought for naming new Army Chief
* Decision after approval
* BJP opposes appointment by UPA
Tribune News Service & PTI

New Delhi, May 2
Amid strong opposition by the BJP to the appointment of the next Army Chief, the government today said the matter had been referred to the Election Commission and any decision will be taken only after getting its nod.

“The matter is before the Election Commission. We want to strictly follow all the procedures before taking any final decision on the issue,” said Defence Minister AK Antony when asked about the status of appointing the next Army Chief.

The matter was sent to the Election Commission by the Defence Ministry earlier this week though the commission has already said that appointments, promotions, tenders and procurements are not covered under the Model Code of Conduct in the ongoing elections.

On why the ministry sent the matter to the Election Commission despite its March 27 order, highly placed Defence Ministry sources said such matters are important and it was felt that the nod of all authorities concerned should be taken before proceeding. The BJP has been opposing the appointment of the next Army Chief by the incumbent government, arguing that there was no hurry to do so and the matter should be left to the next government.

Army Vice Chief Lt General Dalbir Singh Suhag is the frontrunner for appointment to the top post which will fall vacant on July 31 after the retirement of the present Army Chief General Bikram Singh.

Traditionally, the appointment of service chiefs has been made two months before the retirement of the incumbent. However, in the case of General Bikram Singh, the appointment was done three months before the retirement of General V K Singh, who was engaged in a long-drawn battle with the government over his age issue.

General VK Singh as the service chief had imposed a DV (discipline and vigilance) promotion ban on Lt General Suhag just before retiring in 2012. The ban was imposed on the grounds that he had “abdicated responsibility” while handling an intelligence operation in a unit under his command in the North-East. The ban was revoked by General Bikram Singh following which General Suhag got his promotion.

General VK Singh, who is now contesting from the Ghaziabad Lok Sabha segment on the BJP ticket, said the norms are being bypassed while making appointments.

Leave it to next govt: BJP

• The BJP has been opposing appointment of the next Army Chief by the incumbent government
• The party has been arguing that there was no hurry and the matter should be left to the next government
• Traditionally, the appointment is made two months before the retirement of the incumbent
• However, in the case of Gen Bikram Singh, the appointment was done three months before the retirement of Gen V K Singh, who was engaged in a battle with the government over his age issue
• Army Vice Chief Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag is the frontrunner for appointment

"The matter is before the Election Commission. We want to strictly follow all the procedures before taking any final decision on the issue."

AK Antony, Defence minister