New Delhi: Army Chief General VK Singh's letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh presenting a grim picture of the force's state of preparedness has invited criticism from many political parties, while some are blaming the government's inability to handle the situation.
The leak of the letter led to ruckus in Parliament on Wednesday with the Defence Minister AK Antony assuring the MPs that appropriate action would be taken.
Political parties' stand on the issue:
Congress:
The Congress said that the government is investigating the leak of the letter to the PM and an appropriate decision will be taken. "The Defence Minister has said that an appropriate decision will be taken at an appropriate time. We should wait for that. The decision will be conveyed," Congress leader Rajeev Shukla said.
BJP:
The BJP is projecting the controversy as government's inability to govern. It said the contents in the letter are "scary". "This is a very serious issue. Things have come to a point where Army chief has to write letter to CBI for probe. This government is incapable of removing corruption from arms deals. We will take up this issue in Parliament. The government has to be removed not the Army Chief," BJP leader Prakash Javdekar said.
SP, RJD:
Samajwadi Party (SP) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) have asked for the dismissal of the Army Chief. Terming the development as very "serious and sensitive", Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav demanded sacking of the Army Chief, a view shared by RJD supremo Lalu Prasad. "He (General) should be sacked immediately. Why he was silent all these days if there was shortage of ammunition," Lalu said.
CPM:
The CPM wants the government to investigate the matter to know who is behind the leak.
TMC, NCP
Allies Trinamool Congress, NCP supported the government, saying "We want the government to be firm in whatever step it takes."
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