Gen Naravane’s Book: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah throws his weight behind Rahul Gandhi

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah joined AICC leader Rahul Gandhi in urging the NDA-ruled Centre to answer questions arising out of former army chief Gen MM Naravane’s yet-to-be published book, the excerpts of which are out in the open.

Gandhi raised legitimate questions on national security based on excerpts from ‘Four Stars of Destiny’. The book, originally slated for release in 2024, remains unpublished because it is being withheld by the government, Siddaramaiah said in a post on X. “General Naravane has not denied the contents attributed to him. On the contrary, he has publicly acknowledged that his book is awaiting government clearance.”

The Modi Government’s repeated attempts to silence the leader of the Opposition in Parliament are deeply troubling, the CM said. “If these statements were inaccurate or misleading, the government could have issued a clear denial. Its decision, instead of withholding the book and silence discussion, only deepens the suspicion that uncomfortable truths are being suppressed. The book indicates that during the critical phase of the 2020 China border standoff, the Modi Government failed to take clear and decisive strategic calls, leaving the armed forces to manage a complex political crisis within broader constraints. This points not to any failure of the Army, but to a lack of strong political leadership at the highest level..”


Gandhi did what a responsible leader of the Opposition was duty-bound to do. He did not speak against the nation or the Armed Forces. Yet, instead of answering, the government stalled Parliament for two consecutive days, suspended eight opposition MPs, and in an unprecedented act, prevented the leader of the Opposition from speaking on the President’s Address, Siddaramaiah said.

“In any responsible democracy, such grave revelations would have led to accountability and serious political consequences at the highest level. Instead, this government has chosen suppression and intimidation. If the Modi Government has nothing to hide, why silence debate? And if India’s national interest was fully safeguarded, why fear scrutiny in Parliament?” he said in his post on X.