VK Singh as defence minister? Army veterans not game

CHANDIGARH: Would a retired army chief make a good defence minister of the country? Finding an answer to this question has sparked off a raging debate among retired defence personnel ever since General (retired) VK Singh won the Lok Sabha election from Ghaziabad with a massive margin of more than five lakh votes.

Many of these men who have shed blood for the country are uncomfortable with Singh becoming defence minister.

"In order to avoid any chance of politicization within the army, I feel that it would be advisable that General V K Singh is not given the defence portfolio," said the former army chief, General V P Malik. He also said that there is professional responsibility and accountability at every level in the army. If Singh is allocated the MOD portfolio, the likelihood of professional interference in the functioning of the army can not be ruled out.

"Being a former army chief, General Singh is well versed with the functioning of the army. His extra 'advice' to the army chief and senior ranking officer can also put unnecessary pressure on them," Malik added.

Singh was recently asked if he was ready to become defence minister. He had said that he was a "disciplined army officer", and now a "disciplined party soldier" and would do whatever the party decided.

Former Army Commander, Western Command, Lt Gen (retd) PN Hoon said that Singh had set a wrong precedent by going to court against the government. "No member of the armed forces was impressed when he gave a statement against the army chief designate, Lt Gen Dalbir Suhag," Hoon said. "BJP should take a decision after considering the facts and circumstances." Hoon is closely associated with the BJP.

Former Commander of the Army's Northern and Central Commands, Lt General (retd) HS Panag called Singh a maverick. "VK Singh had an agenda during his tenure as army chief and also tried to scuttle Lt General Dalbir Suhag's appointment as army next army chief," said Panag.

Former Punjab governor and war veteran, Lt General (retd) JFR Jacob was in favour of inducting Singh "initially" as minister of state (MOS) only in the MOD considering his professional competency. Jacob, however, said, "Gen Singh is wrong about Lt Gen Dalbir Suhag whom I know to be a good potential army chief."