New Delhi: The row over an affidavit on Army Chief-designate Lt General Dalbir Suhag has created an uproar in both Houses of Parliament. Following a volley of questions over the remarks of Union Minister and former Army Chief VK Singh criticising Lt Gen Suhag, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley clarified the government's stand that the appointment of the Suhag as the Army chief is "final and binding".
However, Jaitley also asserted that some cases are beyond the realm of politics and that subjudice issues cannot be discussed openly. "UPA government had made the appointment of the next Army chief some weeks ago. We defend the appointment," he said.
Jaitley's statement in the Rajya Sabha came after the Congress raised questions over the language used by Singh in his tweets against Lt Gen Suhag. "Congress demands in dismissal of VK Singh from Council of Ministers over tweets against next Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag," Congress leader Anand Sharma said. The Opposition also demanded a reply from Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Singh's remarks.
"If unit kills innocents, does dacoity and then head of organization tries to protect them, should he not be blamed? Criminals should go free!!," he had tweeted. Jaitley on the floor of the House said that Singh was open to defend himself over his statement.
Earlier in the day, Jaitley pulled up Ministry of Defence (MOD) officials over the affidavit on the Vice Chief of Army Staff and asked for an explanation on how an affidavit slamming another Union Minister General landed in the Supreme Court.
The affidavit was filed in response to a plea challenging Lieutenant General Suhag's appointment pointing out that former Army Chief and now a minister in the government, General (retd) VK Singh, had initiated disciplinary and vigilance ban on him. The affidavit said that the ban against Lt Gen Suhag was without basis.
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