BJP questions govt's 'rushed' appointment of Army Chief

The government decided to go ahead with the process of appointing the next Army Chief as it recommended the name of Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag for the top post, after receiving the EC nod.

The Ministry sent its recommendation to the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) shortly after receiving the go- ahead from the Election Commission to which the matter had been referred in view of the Model Code of Conduct.

Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh will retire on July 31 and as per the tradition, the government announces the name of services chiefs two months before the tenure of the incumbent comes to an end.

The appointment of the next Army Chief had got mired in a controversy as BJP is opposing it, questioning the "hurry" and insisting that the matter be left to the next government as there is still time left.

At the AIC briefing, Congress general secretary Shakeel Ahemd saw nothing wrong in the government's move to go ahead with the appointment of the next Army chief following the ECs decision.

"If the EC has considered the request and the government has agreed to go ahead, we welcome the decision," he said when asked about BJP's objection.