Congress, JDU rake up demand for VK Singh's resignation

NEW DELHI: Congress and JD (U) upped the ante against the government over the controversry surrounding union minister and former Army Chief V K Singh and threatened to stall Parliament if he is not removed.

JD (U) general secretary K C Tyagi accused the Singh of enacting a "drama" to install his kin as next Army Chief and demanded his removal while Congress general secretary Shakeel Ahmed said that the government will have to "face consequences" in the coming session if no action was taken against the minister.

"The language used by the V K Singh against the Army is unthinkable. Even enemies had not called them dacoits. It is very serious. In the coming session, the government will have to face consequences if no action was taken against the minister," Ahmed said at the AICC briefing.

In a press release, Tyagi alleged that the main reason behind the controversy surrounding the selection of the next Army Chief was is because V K Singh wanted of install his relative, who in terms of seniority was after Dalbir Singh Suhaag.

"The drama surrounding his his own age row was pre-meditated and part of that larger conspiracy. When it failed, V K Singh tried to stop the promotion of Suhag by filing criminal cases against him in Jorhat," Tyagi said.

He also asked the "basis" on which V K Singh questioned Suhaag's integrity apart from raising doubts on the entire justice procedure and work culture of the army.

"We condemn the irresponsible behavior of Union minister V K Singh and repeat our demand of his resignation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi talks about high morality and he should remove Singh and set an example," Tyagi said.