Modis Gen ambushes own Govt

New Delhi:  The government faces the ignominy of its own Union Minister, former Army Chief Gen V K Singh’s tweet against the new Army Chief-designate, linking him of supporting “dacoity” by an Army unit that once worked under him.

Gen Singh’s tweets were raised in Parliament on Wednesday by other parties with Congress demanding his removal.  “The appointment is final,” stressed Defence Minister Arun Jaitley, adding that the post of the Army Chief must be kept out of controversy.”
 
Lt-Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag is scheduled to take over as the Indian army’s top man at the end of August.  While he was Army Chief, Gen V K Singh had tried to block his promotion, and he has recently defended his actions. 
 
The appointment of the next Army Chief was one of the last major decisions cleared by Manmohan Singh’s government before it was trounced in the election by BJP. Jaitley says the appointment was rushed by a lame duck government but has since supported the move to make Lt-Gen Suhag the next Army Chief.
  
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has told the court that the action taken against Suhag by V K Singh was “illegal” and incorrect – an opinion based on the conclusion reached by an extensive internal Army inquiry.  Congress says the government’s comments, expressed in writing, amount to a “vote of no confidence” in General Singh who must now resign as minister.