Opposition Congress has on Saturday questioned Narendra Modi-led BJP government for junking the long-enshrined seniority principle in appointing new Army chief.
The government yesterday announced the decision to name Lt General Bipin Rawat as the next Army chief superseding two Lt-Generals.
"Why has seniority not been respected in appointment of Army Chief? Why have Lt. Gen. Pravin Bakshi and Lt Gen Mohamed Ali Hariz been superseded, Mr PM (Narendra Modi)?" Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari posted on his Twitter account on Saturday.
"Why has third senior most officer Lt Gen Bipin Rawat with due respects to his professionalism superseded other two in a herarichal force?" he asked.
Tewari further corrected himself saying: "Correction... Gen Rawat is not third but fourth senior most. Even Lt Gen BS Negi Army commander Central Command is senior to him? Why Mr PM?"
"And I only hope and pray it is untrue that this supersession in the Army is not a precursor to suppressions in other institutions Like SC?" Tewari asked.
Lt. Gen. Bipin Rawat would be the new Army Chief and Air Marshal B.S. Dhanoa the new chief of Indian Air Force, the Defence Ministry announced on Saturday.
Lt Gen. Rawat and Air Marshal Dhanoa, presently the Vice Chiefs of their respective services, will take over on December 31, when incumbents Gen. Dalbir Singh and Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha demit office on retirement from service.
(With IANS inputs)
